Opera Australia
Opera Australia
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
No trip to Sydney is complete without seeing an opera at the Sydney Opera House. Opera Australia performs at the Sydney Opera House January-April and July-November every year. Opera Australia also performs at Arts Centre Melbourne and on the Sydney Harbour stage. Most performances start at 7.30pm and run 2–3 hours with an interval. There is no dress code. English translations are projected above the stage for all operas sung in foreign languages. Selected operas in the season will also have Simplified Chinese translations (Carmen, La Traviata, Opera on Sydney Harbour and Aida).
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Central Business District
The Sydney Central Business District is abuzz with energy. Power brokers run to and from high rise buildings and after-work drink places, high-end shoppers tour venues like the QVB, and fine diners frequent the many celebrity chef restaurants. For a dose of culture, walk to the NSW Art Gallery, or visit the Sydney Museum. To escape the hustle and bustle, reconnect with nature at the Sydney Botanical Gardens or picnic lunch at High Park. No matter your interest, be sure to check the full calendar of events hosted by the city, from the Sydney Festival in January to October’s Good Food Month at Hyde Park.
How to get there
- Circular Quay • 8 min walk
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4.5
1,110 reviews
Excellent
857
Very good
176
Average
35
Poor
16
Terrible
26
Lynnette M
Cheektowaga, United States2 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Friends
Went to see Miss Saigon. It was an awesome show!!! The stage was set up great and so were the props!!
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S & A, NZ
15 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Family
First ever visit to the Sydney Opera House. What a fantastic show. Great performance. Miss Saigon musical gave a good account of the events in the Viet Nam/American War. The turmoil the local people went through were felt from the show.
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tarra N
13 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Couples
The beginning of Scene 1 was amazing, full of life, colour, and song, and continued to be throughout! The performers were fantastic artists and didn't disappoint. The most vibrant show I've seen!
Written 21 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CantBeBothered18
Adelaide, Australia113 contributions
This is the first time I have seen Aida and going to the Sydney Opera House is such a treat. We had excellent seats at the Dress Circle. We could see the orchestra, the stage and the surtitle very well. The costumes are amazing. A lot of details had gone into them. The singing is fantastic. The conductor of the orchestra is so passionate. While the 10 screens set the mood of the scenes, I misses the clever physical stage settings. Overall, it was a beautiful performance and suited to opera lovers.
Written 13 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malcolm C
Maroochydore, Australia25 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Couples
I thought Opera Australia's disappointing modern interpretation of Madame Butterfly was an aberration, having recently enjoyed Rigoletto. This production of Aida, using the same production ideas as Butterfly was a visual monstrosity. The sets comprised giant video screens will lurid graphics that distracted from the performance rather than providing a pleasing enhancement. An example was the scene in the first act between Aidi and Amneris, which was overwhelmed by a giant panther in the background that distracted from the intimacy of the exchange. Lurid and sexually graphic figures were plastered on the giant screens. Most of the graphics looked as if they have been composed on a teenager's computer. The costumes were a mishmash of styles from Egyptian to modern and all eras between. Aida was dressed as a Romany Gypsy. The Ethiopian prisoners were clad in modern attire; Amnoroso wore the garb of a downed WW2 aircrew. The soldiers looked as if they belonged in ancient India. The Pharoh meanwhile was dressed in 15th century European Armour and was wheeled around on a dais like a strange dalek. An irritating group of scantily clad dancers pranced about, shouting and slapping their thighs, which the director thought was a good way to spice up the Act 2 overture. The audience around me were unenthusiastic in their applause. For the first time at the Opera House, my wife and I left the theatre during the interval. We were not the only ones.
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack P
Boston, MA1 contribution
Jun. 2023 • Couples
The opera singers performance was impressive. Verdi's opera is "grandiose". However we didn’t like the nudity that was exposed in the background several times. It was innecessary.
The dance scene by the young dancers went for a bit too long. Very modern eratic dance moves expressing the violence of the war, why not, but a bit too long (a few of the spectators felt the same).
The costumes were magnificent. The mise en scene was really great and one could feel the Egyptian royal court atmosphere. Overall satisfied with the performance, we will definitely remember the powerful singing.
The dance scene by the young dancers went for a bit too long. Very modern eratic dance moves expressing the violence of the war, why not, but a bit too long (a few of the spectators felt the same).
The costumes were magnificent. The mise en scene was really great and one could feel the Egyptian royal court atmosphere. Overall satisfied with the performance, we will definitely remember the powerful singing.
Written 21 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samet Y
1 contribution
May 2023 • Solo
The views were amazing and I took so many photos. It was the most amazing thing I have ever watched in my life
Written 13 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JnVSydney
Greater Sydney, Australia18,314 contributions
Apr. 2023
Just when you think the harbour experience cant get any better, after a long wal or cruise/ferry activity, along comes the annual opera by the harbour, this year was Madame Butterfly, the performance was simply amazing, definetly not to be missed when the opportunity arises.
Written 11 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AngWhitt
Jacksonville, FL237 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This is a definitely a bucket list for us. We saw Madama Butterfly and it was stunning. The spectacle of the stage changes was fascinating. Not to mention the performance and all the cool props. If you have the opportunity to go, GO!
Written 18 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcus E
Swindon, UK3 contributions
Apr. 2023 • Solo
Sadly, a wonderful production with a great cast giving it everything was utterly ruined by the party boat pumping out hits just offshore. Couldn’t hear the opera I’d paid for most of the time, and any meaningful pauses were obliterated. Staff said there was nothing they could do: fair enough, but what about management and Sydney harbour authorities or Sydney tourist office? Waste of money, which is a shame because the backdrop, the easy access, the reasonably priced food and drink had the making of an otherwise great evening. A shame for the singers who were wonderful when I could hear them above the noise…
Written 22 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you provide on your website what age appropriate the shows are?
Aude - Opera Australia
Sydney, Australia
Hi Cat Lady,
On each performance page displayed on our Opera Australia website you are able to see any specific notes related to themes contained in the production that might not be suitable for children.
Please do keep in mind as well that most of our shows are sung in Italian, German or French, with English surtitles.
Should you have any further questions, please let us know.
Kind regards,
Aude
Hi Are there any seats with a blocked view?
Jill D
London, UK116 contributions
There are some with restricted views as off to the side (it didn't hamper our view of the opera). On the Sydney Opera House website there are seating plans, best to check there before purchasing tickets, that is what I did. The plans were pretty clear and accurate. Hope this helps.
EmmaAxel
Sydney, Australia6 contributions
How will I be able to follow the story if the opera’s in another language?
OperaAust
Sydney, Australia1 contribution
Hi EmmaAxel,
Thanks for your question. All of our operas have English surtitles. They're shown on a board above the stage as the singers perform so you'll be able to follow the story in real time.
Kind regards,
Lara
Customer Service Coordinator
Adriana
Sydney, Australia6 contributions
Is there a dress code at the opera?
OperaAust
Sydney, Australia1 contribution
Hi 2sdy,
It can be fun to get dressed up for the opera, but it's by no means compulsory! You'll see people dressed differently at the opera so please wear whatever you'll feel comfortable in.
Kind regards,
Lara
Customer Service Coordinator
cleoSydney_aus
sydney,aus210 contributions
Will Aida go on this evening under such extremely bad weather?
Georgia R
Sydney, Australia
Dear cleoSydney_aus,
Opera Australia regrets that this evening's performance of Aida - Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour has been cancelled due to extreme weather conditions.
We know this is inconvenient and we apologise. We would like to offer you the opportunity to exchange into a future performance of your choice, subject to availability, or to offer you a refund on the purchase price of your tickets.
To arrange your exchange or refund, please contact the Customer Service Centre where your tickets were originally purchased. Opera Australia would like to thank you sincerely for understanding.
Kind regards, Lara
cleoSydney_aus
sydney,aus210 contributions
today I an extreme weather day, will Aida go on this evening?
Georgia R
Sydney, Australia
Dear cleoSydney_aus,
Opera Australia regrets that this evening's performance of Aida - Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour has been cancelled due to extreme weather conditions.
We know this is inconvenient and we apologise. We would like to offer you the opportunity to exchange into a future performance of your choice, subject to availability, or to offer you a refund on the purchase price of your tickets.
To arrange your exchange or refund, please contact the Customer Service Centre where your tickets were originally purchased. Opera Australia would like to thank you sincerely for understanding.
Kind regards, Lara
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Frequently Asked Questions about Opera Australia
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