The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre at Sydney Harbour located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is one of the 20th century's most famous and distinctive buildings. Its unique use of a series of gleaming white sail-shaped shells as its roof structure makes it one of the most-photographed buildings in the world.

Designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, but completed by an Australian architectural team headed up by Peter Hall, the building was formally opened on 20 October 1973 after a gestation beginning with Utzon's 1957 selection as winner of an international design competition.

The building comprises multiple performance venues, which together host well over 1,500 performances annually. On 28 June 2007, the Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Opera House was a finalist in the New7Wonders of the World campaign list.

The Opera House was formally completed in 1973, having cost $102 million. The Sydney Opera House was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia on 20 October 1973. The first person to perform at the Sydney Opera House was Paul Robeson. More than 10.9 million people visit the Opera House every year.

Australia

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