The Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic and recognisable buildings in the world. It is located on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The opera house was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and was built between 1959 and 1973. The Sydney Opera House has five main performance venues: the Joan Sutherland Theatre, the Concert Hall, the Drama Theatre, the Utzon Room and the Studio.
2. Metropolitan Opera, New York City, United States
The Metropolitan Opera (often referred to as the "Met") is an opera company located at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City. It is one of the most prestigious opera companies in the world and presents over 200 performances each season, from September through May. The Metropolitan Opera House, opened in 1883 and refurbished in 1996, has a capacity of 3,800 people and is one of the largest opera houses in the world.
3. Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, Russia
The Bolshoi Theatre is located in Moscow, Russia and is one of the most famous opera and ballet theatres in the world. It was founded in 1776 and the present building was constructed in 1824 and rebuilt after a major fire in 1853. The Bolshoi Theatre has a capacity of 2,155 people.
4. Vienna State Opera, Vienna, Austria
The Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper) is located in Vienna, Austria and is one of the most famous and prestigious opera houses in the world. It was built between 1861 and 1869 and has a capacity of 2,280 people.