Sydney Opera House Turns 50 - Official Opening Coverage (1973)

Last week, I shared some newspaper clippings focusing on wrap-arounds, supplements and features relating to the opening of the Sydney Opera House. 

This week will focus on coverage in the major newspapers of the official opening of the Sydney Opera House by Queen Elizabeth II on October 20, 1973, given that the fiftieth anniversary falls on Friday. 

The Sydney Opera House was officially opened on a Saturday. At the time, afternoon newspapers were still published on Saturdays (though this would end in May 1974), which allowed The Daily Mirror and The Sun to publish the first accounts of proceedings and photographs. 

The Daily Mirror - October 20 1973

The newspaper felt "It's one of the wonders of the world", and the wrap-arounds featured a view of the Opera House from Bradfield Park as crowds viewed the festivities from the northern shores of the harbour. Motorists and spectators were told to avoid driving into the city. The late edition included the Queen's quote, "I have much pleasure in declaring the Sydney Opera House open." Crowds were estimated at 500,000.

The Sun - October 20 1973

Page 1 was dominated by an aerial photograph of the Opera House, and the crowd gathered on the forecourt.

The main feature on page 2 did not record the Queen's quote to declare the Opera House open but emphasised that in her view, the building would become "one of the wonders of the world" like the Egyptian Pyramids, which themselves were subject to controversy. 

 

The Sun Herald - October 21 1973

It was a day of glory for the city. According to their reports, an estimated one million people gathered on the shores of Sydney Harbour. Their coverage was comprehensive as the clippings show below. One point of interest was the tight security that was placed around the opening to ensure the safety of the Queen and the 15 000 invited to attend the opening ceremony. 

 

The Sunday Telegraph - October 21 1973

There are two front pages - the souvenir wrap-around and a general page one cover. The headline "Happy and Glorious" reflects the regal nature of the ceremony. A great picture of the Queen addressing the crowd with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge rising behind her.

 

Below is a full page photograph of the fireworks spectacular from that evening.

 

The speech read by the Queen was also published for its readers on page three along with a feature on the gala concert.

Related Entry

Sydney Opera House Turns 50 - Newspaper preview features (1973)