The Sydney Opera House officially opened in 1973.
The formal opening took place on October 20, 1973, when Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated the performing-arts centre in Sydney Harbour. The ceremony included fireworks and a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, marking the public arrival of one of the twentieth century’s most recognizable buildings.
Danish architect Jørn Utzon won the international design competition in 1957, and construction began in 1959. The project proved exceptionally difficult: its expressive shell roofs required major engineering advances, and costs and schedules rose far beyond the original estimates. Utzon later left the project, and an Australian team led by Peter Hall completed the building.
The year 1973 refers to the official opening, not the start of construction or the earliest performances. Events were held inside before the inauguration, including a 1960 performance by American singer Paul Robeson for construction workers. The Opera House was formally completed in the same year as its official opening, after 16 years of development.