Seeing an Opera in Sydney

Written by Viator, November 2012

RECOMMENDATION Keywords:
Cultural Experience, Must-Do Experience, Pier / Waterfront / Port, Theater

Enjoy a night at the opera under the stars with magnificent views of Sydney Harbour or visit Australia’s most famous man-made icon and birthplace of Australian Opera, the Sydney Opera House.

While there is much more to Sydney Opera House than opera, it has to be Australia’s most exciting venue to watch a performance by the world-renowned, Opera Australia. Predating the Sydney Opera House (which was opened in 1973) by almost 20 years, Opera Australia brought high-end culture to a country that was crying out for sophisticated and artistic entertainment, and remains to this day Australia’s largest and most productive performing arts organization with over 600 performances a year.

It is easy to plan your night at the opera because the season is scheduled at least a year in advance. Novices can pick their way through the maze of operas or work out which opera might best suit them.

For a night at the opera with a difference, Sydney visitors might wish to plan their trip to coincide with the once yearly opera performance on Sydney Harbour in March. This year – the second year it has actually been possible to watch opera on the Harbour – it's the turn of Georges Bizet’s Carmen, an opera that is known for its flamboyant costumes, cast and passionate Spanish arias.

The harbour performance is a one-off opportunity to watch Bizet’s Carmen on a floating stage with the world’s most spectacular natural harbour as a backdrop. You may not be inside the famous Sydney Opera House, but you get to see its famous sails, along with the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the city’s glittering North Shore.

Latest Replies

Add review or reply

All Seeing an Opera in Sydney Reviews

Reply by Viator, February 2013
Doing what: Sydney Opera House: Summer at the House Performance Ticket and Tour

Terrific peek into the iconic house. Saw a cabaret show which was wonderful.

Report problem

Reply by Viator, January 2013
Doing what: Sydney Opera House and Australian Ballet Dinner Package

I was very impressed!! We flew in a day early for a cruise out of Sydney and I was hoping to take my wife to the Opera House. It was nearly impossible to get tickets. I was able to use this package and thought it was worth every penny. The tour group intimate (7); diner 5-star; seats excellent.

Report problem

Reply by Viator, January 2013
Doing what: Sydney Opera House and Australian Ballet Dinner Package

Thoroughly enjoyable. Tour interesting, ballet outstanding, meal in Aria restaurant excellent.
One problem - arriving at what we assumed was the correct part of the Opera House we were hurried on to a guided tour, presumably in error but Viator had left tickets etc so all worked out in the end.

Report problem