When someone turns fifty they usually receive jubilee gifts. However on the opening weekend of the 21st and 22nd October it was the Sydney Opera House that gave us gifts.
As we waited in the foyer young thespians in tshirts and jeans quoted passages from ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
Next was the Jorn Utzon room. On one side one can see glorious views of the harbour. On the other side the room is dominated by a huge canvas, the only one painted by Utzon specifically for the Sydney Opera House.
Next we were delighted by an enchanting soprano aria with pianon accompanying. For the performance the rarely seen ‘Curtain Of The Sun’ was brought out of storage as a special treat for the visitors.
The Concert Hall with its glorious new sonic shellsb enhanced the thunderous sound made by one of the largest organs in the world.
After a brief walk through the back stage area of the Opera Houe we entered the Drama Theatre to be deliighted by a lovely trio of Indian dancers performing traditional Hindu choreography.
To people unfamilar with the Sydney Opera House the purple themed curtain was a revelation. A special commission for the renowned artist John Olsen, it was his interpretation of the Kenneth Slessor’ spoem ‘Five Bells’ about Sydney harbour.
There was more action on the western forecourt.
A dinosaur terrified passers by, frogmen blowing bubbles were a bizarre but playful attraction and a drum matching band added a pulsating beat to the proceedings.b
A fabulous day out for the family and a memorable gift from the most beloved building in Australia.
Text and photos by Ben Apfelbaum
