IT'S not often a Danish man gets to make Australian history by playing a Dane who has well and truly etched his own name into the nation's history books, but that is exactly the scenario confronting Adam Frandsen.
Mr Frandsen will play Jorn Utzon, the famous Danish architect who designed the Sydney Opera House, in a historic production from October 28-November 5.
Sydney Opera House - The Opera: The Eighth Wonder will be the first ever opera to be performed on the steps of the structure, utilising Australia's most famous building as a backdrop.
The opera recounts the story of the commissioning and construction of the opera house.
Mr Frandsen, the son of an architect himself, said he was extremely excited about performing at the world famous venue and to be playing a Danish national hero.
Mr Frandsen is visiting Australia for the first time and was very excited to see the building for the first time after arriving in Sydney.
"Seeing something that is so relevant to Denmark and my personal history is amazing and a little frightening," he said.
Mr Frandsen said the opera's music had both a surface beauty and a hidden depth which mirror the beauty of the building itself and the problems and complexities that arose during construction.
"The music has melodies that are recognisable and humble, but behind them is some very complex music with lots of changing time signatures," he said.
"You see something really appealing right away, but as you go along, you start to see the complexity."
The construction of the nautically inspired structure itself was far from smooth sailing for Utzon, who ended up leaving the project before its interiors had been completed.
In mid-1965, newly elected NSW Minister for Works Davis Hughes began questioning designs, schedules and cost estimates and eventually ceased payments, which resulted in Utzon's withdrawal in 1966.
Mr Frandsen said he felt the opera gave a fairly accurate portrayal of Utzon, who is presented as uncompromising and quite difficult to work with, but also extremely passionate about realising his vision.
Mr Frandsen said he believed the quality of music, intriguing story and spectacular nature of the opera house itself would equate to a spectacular and unique experience.
"As the night unfolds, you will see more and more of the building emerging," he said.
"It really will be a great spectacle."
Did you know?
- Jorn Utzon was born in Copenhagen on April 9, 1918
- His father's background as a naval engineer had a significant influence on many of his future designs
- His entry; Scheme Number 218, was announced as winner of the International Competition for a National Opera House at Bennelong Point, Sydney on January 29, 1957
- Following Utzon's resignation in 1966 well known Australian identities such as fellow architect Harry Seidler and author Patrick White led protest marches through the streets of Sydney
- After a number of meetings with the NSW Government and Sydney Opera House trust, Utzon was reunited with the project in 1999. He agreed to develop a set of design principles to act as a reference guide for future changes to the building
- Former NSW Premier Bob Carr officially renamed the newly refurbished reception hall the Utzon room on September 16, 2004
Details opera.org.au