Stunning free laser show as Opera House turns 50
Almost 40,000 people will flock to the Sydney Opera House this weekend as Australia’s most famous landmark celebrates its 50th birthday.
NSW
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Almost 40,000 people will flock to the Sydney Opera House this weekend as the nation’s most iconic venue celebrates its 50th birthday.
On Friday night, Sydneysiders were treated to a spectacular laser show as part of a month-long celebration.
Friday marked exactly 50 years since the Opera House doors were first opened, and artist Robin Fox marked the occasion with high powered beams which danced across the water to highlight and celebrate the architecture of the building.
Those who missed the display can still catch it on Saturday and Sunday night.
The artwork is just one of the events on the birthday calendar this week with the Open House Weekend launching today, welcoming 37,000 people to explore the building for free in the first open day in eight years.
The Opera House is throwing open its doors to all seven performance spaces including the world-famous concert hall with roving performances from local artists.
Bangarra Dance Theatre and Mornington Island Dancers will treat visitors to some beautiful First Nations dance performances and the Opera House production team will give rare access to some technical demonstrations.
“The Opera House has been a place for culture, creativity, community and connection since it first opened in 1973,” Sydney Opera House director of programming Fiona Winning said.
“So it’s only fitting that to mark the culmination of our year-long 50th anniversary, we’re throwing open the doors so that tens of thousands of people can explore and experience the magic of one of the most celebrated buildings in the world.”
On special display in the Joan Sutherland Theatre is John Coburn’s Curtain of the Sun, a tapestry that was originally the house curtain for the stage and is among the largest tapestries in the world.
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