In 1947, Eugene Goossens, a renowned British conductor, was appointed to lead the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He later advocated for the construction of a world-class concert hall in Sydney to enhance the city's cultural life.

In 1954, Eugene Goossens and Premier Joseph Cahill agreed that Sydney needed a major performance venue, leading to the decision to build an opera house at Bennelong Point.

Cahill initiated an international design competition on September 13, 1955, which attracted 233 entries from architects in 32 countries. The competition aimed to create a large hall seating 3,000 and a small hall for 1,200 people for various events like operas, concerts, meetings, and ballet performances.

In 1956, Jørn Utzon was chosen as the sole architect for the Sydney Opera House through an international design competition. His vision and design transformed the site into a remarkable piece of architecture admired globally.

Danish architect Jørn Utzon's design was chosen as the winner of the competition on January 29, 1957, by Eero Saarinen. This decision marked a significant milestone in the construction of the Sydney Opera House.

The Fort Macquarie Tram Depot, located on the future site of the Sydney Opera House, was demolished in 1958 to make way for the construction of the iconic architectural marvel. This marked the beginning of the transformation of the site.

Stage I construction of the Sydney Opera House began on March 2, 1959, with the construction firm Civil & Civic and engineers Ove Arup and Partners overseeing the project. Despite the government's push to start early due to funding concerns, architect Utzon had not completed the final designs, leading to major structural issues and delays.

In 1960, Paul Robeson became the first person to perform at the Sydney Opera House. He sang Ol' Man River to the construction workers during their lunch break.

By January 23, 1961, Stage I construction of the Sydney Opera House was running 47 weeks behind schedule due to unexpected difficulties such as inclement weather, unresolved structural issues, and construction starting before proper drawings were prepared. The forced early start caused significant problems, including the need to rebuild the podium columns.

On April 6, 1962, it was estimated that the Sydney Opera House would be completed between August 1964 and March 1965.

In February 1963, Jørn Utzon's office was moved to Palm Beach, Sydney, as part of his involvement in supervising the Sydney Opera House project. This relocation signified a crucial phase in the architectural development of the iconic structure.

The Goldstein Hall at the University of New South Wales, designed by Peter Hall, won the prestigious Sir John Sulman Medal in 1964. This recognition further established Hall as a talented design architect.

In May 1965, Jørn Utzon, the architect of the Sydney Opera House, resigned from the project due to funding issues and disagreements with the Minister for Public Works. His resignation sparked protests and controversy among architects, artists, and unionists in Sydney.

The completion date of the Sydney Opera House was projected to be December 1965, but due to design changes and cost overruns, the construction timeline was extended.

Jørn Utzon left the Sydney Opera House project on February 28, 1966, citing issues with payment and lack of collaboration. He rejected a subordinate role offered by Hughes and left the country, never to return, leading to a great controversy about the circumstances of his resignation.

On April 28, 1966, Jørn Utzon left Sydney with his family, never to return to the city or see his completed masterpiece, the Sydney Opera House. His departure marked the end of his involvement in the iconic architectural project.

In 1967, the interior phase of the Sydney Opera House project began.

Following Utzon's resignation, significant changes were made to the original design of the Sydney Opera House. The major hall was transformed into a concert hall, the minor hall was repurposed for opera and ballet, and additional spaces like theatres and a library were added.

In 1972, construction workers at the Sydney Opera House, affiliated with the BLF, went on strike demanding a rehiring of a fired worker and a wage increase. The workers took control of the site for five weeks until their demands were met.

On 10 April 1973, the first solo piano recital took place in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House. The performance was played by Romola Costantino to an invited audience.

On 25 July 1973, the first performance of an opera took place at the Sydney Opera House. Larry Sitsky's The Fall of the House of Usher was performed to a libretto by Mary Durack, in a double-bill with Dalgerie by James Penberthy.

The first public concert in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House took place on 5 September 1973. It was an all-Wagner orchestral concert performed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Charles Mackerras.

On 28 September 1973, the first opera performance in what was then known as the Opera Theatre of the Sydney Opera House took place. Sergei Prokofiev's War and Peace was conducted by the Australian Opera's Music Director, Edward Downes.

The opening gala concert in the concert hall featured music by Richard Wagner, conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras, with the renowned Swedish soprano Birgit Nilsson as the soloist on 29 September 1973.

The Sydney Opera House was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on October 20, 1973. The opening ceremony was attended by a large crowd, televised, and featured fireworks and a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former actor and Governor of California, won his final Mr Olympia bodybuilding title in 1980 at the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House.

In 1990, Nelson Mandela addressed a crowd of 40,000 at the Sydney Opera House and attended a choral performance of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica ('God Bless Africa').

In 1991, opera legend Joan Sutherland gave her final performance at the Sydney Opera House, marking the end of a remarkable career.

In 1993, Constantine Koukias was commissioned to compose Icon, a large-scale music theatre piece for the 20th anniversary of the Sydney Opera House.

In 1995, Jacqueline McKenzie portrayed the title role of Joan of Arc in Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan at the Sydney Opera House.

Crowded House played their record-breaking Farewell to the World concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in 1996.

In the late 1990s, the Sydney Opera House Trust reestablished communication with Utzon to reconcile and involve him in future changes to the building. Utzon was appointed as a design consultant by the trust.

In 2000, swimmer Samantha Riley stood on top of one of the Concert Hall's shells with the Olympic Torch before sending the flame to light the cauldron at Stadium Australia.

Jørn Utzon was honored with the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2003, recognizing his exceptional contribution to architecture. The prize highlighted Utzon's masterpiece, the Sydney Opera House, as a symbol of beauty and cultural significance.

Canadian singer Michael Bublé performed at the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House in 2004.

The Sydney Opera House was included in the National Heritage List in 2005 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

On 28 June 2007, the Sydney Opera House was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, adding to its previous listings on various heritage registers.

In 2008, the wind band composition 'Angels in the Architecture' by Frank Ticheli, inspired by the Sydney Opera House, had its premiere performance at the venue.

A state memorial service for Utzon was held in the Concert Hall on 25 March 2009, featuring performances and recollections from prominent figures in the Australian performing arts scene.

The refurbished Western Foyer and accessibility improvements were completed on 17 November 2009, representing the largest building project since Utzon's re-engagement in 1999. The project aimed to enhance accessibility for all visitors.

In 2010, Jørn Utzon's iconic design of the Sydney Opera House, characterized by its striking series of white roofs inspired by Mayan temples, continued to captivate visitors. Utzon's vision of creating a transcendent architectural masterpiece that transports people into a world of fantasy was realized in this renowned structure.

A documentary film featuring Jørn Utzon, the architect of the Sydney Opera House, exploring the possibilities and challenges faced during the construction process.

On 5 October 2013, the Sydney Opera House sails formed a graphic projection-screen in a lightshow mounted in connection with the International Fleet Review in Sydney Harbour.

A documentary or program titled 'Autopsy On a Dream' delving into the creation and construction of the iconic Sydney Opera House, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of the project.

On 31 December 2013, a New Year fireworks display was mounted at the Sydney Opera House for the first time in a decade, marking the venue's 40th anniversary year.

An entry in the Dictionary of Sydney providing information about the Sydney Opera House, including works by Laila Ellmoos and Eoghan Lewis, offering insights into the history and significance of the architectural marvel.

On 29 March 2016, an original 1959 tapestry by Le Corbusier, commissioned by Utzon, was unveiled at the Sydney Opera House after being held by the Utzon family for over 50 years. The tapestry now hangs in the building's Western Foyer.

In the second half of 2017, the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House was closed for stage machinery replacement and other renovation works.

The Opera House chief executive Louise Herron clashed with Sydney radio commentator Alan Jones over the use of Opera House sails to advertise The Everest horse race. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian overruled Herron's decision, supported by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

A petition against using the Opera House for advertising collected over 298,000 names by 9 October 2018, showing significant public disapproval. Additionally, a survey found that 81% of respondents were not supportive of the premier's decision.

On 14 June 2019, a state memorial service for former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke was held at the Sydney Opera House.

In 2020, the first Six performance in Australia was held at The Studio theatre, marking a significant musical event at the Sydney Opera House.

Archival findings shedding light on the innovative contributions of Hornibrook in the construction of the Sydney Opera House, providing new insights into the history and engineering marvel of the iconic structure.

In 2022, the Nintendo Switch game Mario Kart 8 Deluxe released a downloadable content featuring the Sydney Sprint track, showcasing the Opera House exteriors and concert hall interiors.

In 2023, the New South Wales Government decided not to light the sails of the Sydney Opera House in honor of King Charles' coronation due to cost concerns. State Premier Chris Minns cited excessive taxpayer spending as the reason for scrapping the plans.