The Sydney Opera House 

   The Sydney Opera House has become, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge,  Sydney's best-known landmark and international symbol. The Sydney Opera  House, situated on Sydney Harbour at Bennelong Point, is considered by many to be one of the wonders of the modern world. 

   The Opera House is one of Sydney's most popular icons with tourists and travellers from the world over visiting, photographing and standing in awe of the cultural centre of Sydney. 

   The Opera House is the home to the: 
. The Australian Ballet 
. Australian Chamber Orchestra 
. The Bell Shakespeare Company 
. Ensemble Theatre 
. Musica Viva Australia 
. Musica Viva Australia 
. Opera Australia 
. Sydney Dance Company 
. Sydney Festival 
. Sydney Philharmonia Choirs 
. Sydney Symphony 
. Sydney Theatre Company

   The Sydney Opera House is nonetheless a fascinating building and heart of the  city's cultural scene. It opened with a concert hall, an opera theatre, a drama  theatre and a recital hall, as well as restaurants and bars. A fifth theatre was added within the structure in 1998. 

   The Sydney Opera House cost some $160 million to build and was paid for by  the public who bought $10 tickets in a series of lotteries with a first prize of  $1 million. Utzon became involved in a massive political row with the government and left before the building was finished.