The Opera House
Description
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.
Praise for The Opera House
While the historian tells you what happened, the novelist tells you what it felt like, but only you can judge whether the journalist, columnist and one of Australia's best-selling non-fiction writers managed to pull it off.—Raima Gaind, NATIONAL [ONLINE] PS News
Peter Fitzsimons in his thoroughly researched, comprehensive book 'The Opera House', gives the reader a different and unique insight into the social and political history surrounding this iconic landmark.—NAN VAN DISSEL, NATIONAL [ONLINE] Blue Wolf Reviews
Fitzsimons takes us behind the scenes -he vividly imparts the stories about the many people whose lives were affected, both favourably and adversely, by its construction and existence ... We get to feel as if we know Utzon, Fitzsimons strikingly bringing him to life.—LYNNE LANCASTER, NSW [ONLINE] Sydney Arts Guide
The Opera House is utterly engrossing ... a smashing read.—Loretta Barnard, NATIONAL [ONLINE] Loud Mouth