Hello - I am interested in booking opera seats with a good view. If anyone is familiar with the layout of the opera theater I would appreciate your advice. Specifically, I am thinking of purchasing "Reserve A" tickets on-line ($174 AUD) and need advice on whether to book stall (downstairs) or circle (upstairs) seats. Also, any feedback on the pre-theater menu at Guillaume at Bennelong?

Hi, jysk!

You will find that "A" reserve has an excellent view (and great acoustics) from wherever you are sitting. The Opera Theatre is actually the smaller of the two main halls in the Opera House -- you may be surprised at how small it is -- so the circle seats are not far away from the stage. I haven't been there for a while, but last time I was there I sat "C" reserve in the BACK row of the circle, and still had a fine view. I guess it depends on whether you want to look up or down.

I recall that "A" reserve takes in nearly every seat in the theatre; I think the second and third-back rows were "B" reserve and the very back row was "C" reserve, so you might possibly book "A" reserve and find yourself right next to those of us who go for the cheap seats and pay a mere fraction of what you are paying (I think I paid $AUD20 last time, to see a rather disappointing performance of "Carmen", about the only opera I can sit through without thinking about train times). If you book as early as possible, it should be possible to avoid this.

Thanks Alan! Keep the valuable info coming. I was actually hoping you would reply, as past posts on this forum demonstrate that you are well-informed about Sydney. I think I'll be booking a contemporary version of "La Boheme" in August.

Anywhere in A Reserve should be fine.

Of course Alan's well informed about Sydney - he's really Mr Sydney himself - he4 knows all, and has done all (or most of it). The rest of us just aspire to half Alan's knowledge!

We found that Guillaume at Bennelong was a bit "frayed around the edges" the last time we were at the Opera House. I'd suggest Aria which is quite close by. That said, there is a certain feeling about dining in the Opera House itself.

That "special feeling" that Pinot Noir talks about comes over you when you get the bill!

I'm not a Sydney Local (I fact, I'm not sure I could live any farther... Stratford Ontario Canada) but I recently returned from a trip downunder.

Guillaume at Bennelong is dated in decor (I doubt they have changed anything from the day it was first designed), but the food is very good. I had the asparagus, the baramundi, and the apple tart (or I tried to have the apple tart... see below...)

A MAJOR complaint, though... We made it clear to the staff that I was going to the opera (my parents were not). While the first part of the meal was well paced, we seemed to lose momentum after the main course (a complaint I actually have for many restaurants in Australia), and I ended up having to wolf down my coffee and leave my dessert to get to the show on time.

My ticket to Cosi fan tutte was G26 (dead centre). While great for watching the action on stage, reading the subtitles, which are shown above the proscenium, is quite difficult. I think if you are any closer it is impossible to read them... How is your Italian?

The theatre is much much smaller than I imagined and the rake of the audience seating is very steep so I don't think anyone is very far from the stage.