ISBN |
9780733641336 |
Author |
FitzSimons, Peter, 1961- (author) |
Title |
The Opera House : the extraordinary story of the building that symbolises Australia the people, the secrets, the scandals and the sheer genius / Peter FitzSimons. |
Publisher and/or associated date/s |
Sydney, NSW : Hachette Australia, 2022. |
©2022. |
Description |
xxxii, 560 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some colour), portraits, maps ; 24 cm. |
Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
Contents |
'The most beautiful site in the world' -- 'An act of rare imagination' -- Exit the maestro -- Enter the architect and the engineer -- Bennelong punters -- The foundation stone -- Farewell, Old Smoothie, farewell smooth sailing -- Podium finish -- Back to the drawing board -- All the world's a stage -- The edge of the possible -- Storm approaching -- Malice in blunderland -- 'Single line of control' -- Exit, with a stage left... to go -- 'This story doesn't end...' -- A tale of two halls -- Of Jacobites and Philistines. |
Summary |
"On a sacred site on the land of the Gadigal people, Tubowgule, a place of gathering and storytelling for over 60,000 years, now sits the Sydney Opera House. It is a breathtaking building recognised around the world as a symbol of modern Australia. Along with the Taj Mahal and other World Heritage sites, it is celebrated for its architectural grandeur and the daring and innovation of its design. But this stunning house on what is now called Bennelong Point also holds many sorrows, secrets and scandals. In this fascinating and impeccably researched biography, Peter FitzSimons exposes these secrets, marvels at how this magnificent building came to be, details its enthralling history and reveals the dramatic stories about the people whose lives were affected, both negatively and positively, by its presence. Ambition, dispossession, betrayal, professional rivalry, sexual intrigue, murder, bullying and breakdowns are woven into the creation of this masterpiece of human ingenuity. The Opera House shares the extraordinary stories connected to this building that are as mesmerising as the light catching on its white sails." -- Back cover. |
Subjects |
Utzon, Jørn, -- 1918-2008 |
Sydney Opera House |
Architecture -- Australia -- History |
Theatres -- Australia |
New South Wales -- Sydney |
Sydney (N.S.W.) -- Buildings, structures, etc |
Call number |
2022.070 |