It’s hard to imagine now, but before the Adelaide Festival Centre opened its doors in June, 1973, Australia didn’t have a single capital city multipurpose arts centre.
Designed by John Morphett and Hassell Architects, the striking white building on the banks of the River Torrens was a statement of intent – notification that Adelaide was indeed the home of the arts in our nation.
And South Australians were right behind the plan, throwing so much support behind the public fundraising efforts that the target was reached within a week, with enough left over to invest in a collection of world-class art.
"I’m pretty proud of what it’s done for Adelaide… It’s a sign. It’s a symbol. It’s an image of Adelaide, and so Adelaide is known by the image of this centre," the late John Morphett AM OBE said of his striking design.
On 2 June, 1973, the Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, accompanied by Premier Don Dunstan, officially opened the venue.
The first ever performance that evening was Act Two, Scene 1 of Beethoven’s opera Fidelio and Beethoven’s Choral Symphony.
The Playhouse, Space Theatre and Amphitheatre soon followed and Australia's first multi-functional performing arts complex was complete.
Over the decades the Adelaide Festival has hosted everything from Primary Schools Festival of Music to the biggest stars in the world, with everyone from Roy Orbison to Cate Blanchett treading its boards.
To find out what's happening at the Adelaide Festival Centre, visit the website. To get a plan for this year's Adelaide Cabaret Festival, which began on 4 June, click here.
Pictures: Ballantyne and Partners
