Here are some facts for this day. You are welcome to log your interesting, quirky or fun fact/s with your log.
On This Day - March 2nd 1959
Stage One of the building of the Sydney Opera House commences.
The Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, sits on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour. Designed by Danish architect Joern Utzon in 1955, it has become one of the most famous performing arts venues in the world. Utzon arrived in Sydney to oversee the project in 1957 and work commenced on the Opera House in 1959. The ceremony marking Stage One of the Sydney Opera House was held on 2 March 1959. The Premier of New South Wales, Hon JJ (Joe) Cahill, laid a bronze plaque at the site marking what would be the first step of the podium, and declared the project underway.
The Opera House, famous for its geometric roof shells, was completed in 1973, at a cost of $102 million. It was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 20 October 1973. The opening was celebrated with fireworks and a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. Prior to this, however, Sergei Prokofiev's 'War and Peace' was played at the Opera Theatre on 28 September 1973. The following day, the first public performance was held, with a programme performed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Charles Mackerras and with accompanying singer Birgit Nilsson.