The Sydney Opera House.
By any building standards as distinctive as it’s great,
the Sydney Opera House, an icon of New South Wales State
as an idea first was mooted back in 1943
by Director Eugene Goossens of the State Conservatory.
State Premier Joseph Cahill launched a worldwide competition
for an Opera House design with Bennelong Point as position.
Out of some 230 entrants, they could finally select,
in 1957, Jorn Utzon, Danish architect.
To perfect design of sail-like roof-shells took about four years
of collaboration by the architect with engineers
for traumatic problems were encountered all along the way
with the concept, totally unique, put forward in its day.
Ove Arup Engineers were supervising all construction
when a change of Government in ’65 caused much disruption
which, in ’66 resulted in Jorn Utzon’s resignation
and threatened thus to bring about indefinite stagnation.
But other architects were soon appointed in his place
who altered some of Utzon’s planned interior concert space
and thus created problems with acoustics in the hall
which now requires re-planning and adjustment overall.
As well as being the home of Opera Australia
where international singers come to visit from afar,
the Sydney Symphony Orchestra also has its base
with theatre, ballet, musical productions taking place.
Although the Opera House itself has touched so many hearts
the cost is justified by its promotion of the arts.
Jenelda White August 22nd. 2007.
Author notes
I wrote about our Opera House as when I was in school we went on excursions to see through all of it. What an amazing place it is.
In a list
A contest entry
- Only For Members of Hugh Wyles Favourites Group #19 by huguenauties.
750 points, ended August 30, 2007, 12 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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What an cool poem, Jen. I've always wanted to visit Australia and t he opera house is on my list. Maybe someday
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It certainly is an icon, one that's had its fair share of controversy. You have described it very well in your poem.
Cheers
Anne
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This poem tells the story excellently, there were many facts that I did not know. When it was built, the Sydney Opera House was futuristic and ambitious, and we have seen few buildings to match it in the intervening years. This is a great cultural icon for Australia, and a wonderful poem. Best of luck!
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Dear Jenelda,
The Sydney Opera House really stands out! It's unique design is a real eye-catcher. It's a shame they had problems with acoustics as that is the most important thing to be considered when building such a place. Nevertheless, it is still an impressive structure and I really enjoyed your informative poem. You did a great job with the rhymes..something I find hard to do with factual poems.
Best of Luck in the contest!
♥ Maureen
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Dear Jen,
a lovely story on our famous Opera House. I've never been in there, maybe when Heath and I come to Australia we can visit it.
At the moment he's overseas on a business visit, I expect him back soon in time to close the Contest.
Love Hine -
Something tells me AC/DC never played there.
It looks and sounds impressive. We have nothing like it that I know of in Maine...basically we have showers to sing in and that is it.
Ok, that is a place I'd like to take a tour through, though I wouldn't want to stay for the Opera itself...I'll go across the street to the AC/DC concert.
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Dear Jenelda,
You have certainly done justice to the most outstanding of Sydney's many great buildings. Jorn Utzon was a brilliant architect, well ahead of his time in design and concept. The problems that he had to
contend with, political interference, escalating costs and restricted funding, plus technical difficulties which brought him into conflict with the engineers, resulted in his eventual resignation and return to Denmark. The departure by subsequent architects from his original intentions and plans in the aftermath, created acoustical and physical problems which should not have occurred and which must now be addressed. It is comforting that, in 1999, The Sydney Opera House Trust effected a reconciliation with him and appointed him as design consultant for all future work much of which has been a reversal to his original design.
Thankyou for this excellent entry and good luck in the voting.
Applause, love and hugs, XXX Hugh (R.)
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Dear Jen, OOHH our Opera House looks great, I too have been in there on atour with some friends many years ago.Wonderfully written.
Love A/J
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