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UTZON AND THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

as it happened 1918-2000 

By Philip Drew


Philip Drew's Utzon and the Sydney Opera House, with the famous portrait of Utzon by Jozef Vissel on the cover

An indispensable publication on the complex jigsaw puzzle of the Sydney Opera House story was launched at the Museum of Sydney on November 2000.

Written by eminent architectural historian, Phillip Drew, with editorial advice from Foundation director, Paul Bentley, Utzon and the Sydney Opera House presents a wide range of essential information on the soaring artistic aims and politically plagued creation of the Sydney Opera House in a compact and accessible format

For Jørn Utzon, the Sydney Opera House was a dream that came to life.  It was also the focus of a protracted political battle to decide who would govern New South Wales which provoked his withdrawal mid-way through its realisation. The drama of the Opera House is related day-by-day, from its genesis to completion, including later developments to 2000. After introductory essays, the book chronicles the Opera House events in a chronology, accompanied by 50 illustrations, 34 biographical entries, special interest capsules, and margin icons identifying works, books and professional reports, awards, patents, exhibitions, yacht designs and film. 

 

It contains:

  • a comprehensive account of people and events as they happened snapshot biographies of key personalities--musicians, architects, engineers, consultants, politicians

  • crucial design and technical breakthroughs cost estimates, expenditures, and payments to the architect key performing arts history essential political and architectural background recent upgrade changes to the Opera House fabric since 1988 threats to its surroundings

  • UNESCO World Heritage Nomination debacle

  • Utzon's return as a senior design consultant in 1999

In his speech at the launch, Drew said that the Sydney Opera House is one of those focal stories that remain so central to any apprehension of Sydney, its essential meanings and symbolism as one of the great harbour cities of the world.  

Philip Drew lives in Sydney and wrote the first biography of Jørn Utzon, The Masterpiece, and the award-winning Phaidon Architecture in Detail study Sydney Opera House. He is one of Australia’s foremost architectural historians and has lectured widely in Australia and the United States. His previous books include Third Generation, Tensile Architecture, Leaves of Iron, Harry Seidler, Veranda, The Coast Dwellers, The Museum of Modern Art, Gunma and Touch This Earth Lightly.

PUBLICATION DETAILS

AUTHOR:

Philip Drew

TITLE

Jørn Utzon and the Sydney Opera House: as it happened 1918-2000

PUBLISHER

Inspire Press, 12 View Street, Annandale NSW 2038

DATE

2000

BINDING

Paperback, burst bound.

ISBN:

0 646 40556 X

NO. OF PAGES

168 1PMS inside, text 1 PMS colour throughout on 13Ogsm + COVER (300gsm Satin Art)

PRESENTATION

Comes in 296gsm IP Everest Board box, red on white design recreation of Utzon's 1963 Christmas jigsaw puzzle box.

SIZE

200mm x 200mm

PRICE

A$26.95 recommended retail price including GST

ORDERS

Inspire Press

12 View Street

Annandale, NSW 2023 Australia

Tel/Fax + 61 2 9660 8369

e-mail: pdrew@idx.com.au

 

See also 

Sydney Opera House: an annotated list of sources 

     

 

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