| Dear READER,I hope you have been keeping safe and well. It is wonderful to see COVID-19 restrictions easing in NSW, much-loved theatres beginning to reopen, and the artistic and cultural community re-emerging from the significant and far-reaching challenges of 2020. Since March, we have been maintaining a vital connection between artists and audiences through our digital program From Our House to Yours, with close to six million views and listens of free on-demand content to date. In September, we reopened our harbourside restaurants Opera Bar and Opera Kitchen, a first step in safely welcoming the public back. Now I am delighted to let you know that we will be reopening a number of venues and spaces across the Opera House from 29 October, with an unmissable line-up of live events to entertain and inspire, together with award-winning digital programming. As well as the return of Antidote – our annual festival of action, ideas and change – we will be presenting an inspiring and diverse calendar of First Nations culture and storytelling, comedy, jazz, kids shows and independent local artists, curated by Sydney Opera House Presents. Our resident companies will also make a welcome return when the Sydney Theatre Company opens Rules for Living in the Drama Theatre next month. For the first time, the Opera House and the award-winning Bennelong restaurant will offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy the finest food and wine, with performances by musicians including from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. On-site guided tours will also resume from 5 November, including a new digital immersive experience of the Concert Hall, making it the perfect time for Sydneysiders to explore everything that’s on offer. Our annual First Nations dance competition Dance Rites will return in November as a digital festival, showcasing and celebrating the richness and diversity of First Nations dance and songlines. More information about the national competition will be announced soon. I invite you to explore the full program of live performances and events here, to start planning your visit, and to create new memories back at your Opera House. What we’re doing to keep the community safe
As we prepare to reopen our theatres to the public, we are committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone on site and are a registered COVID-Safe business. The Opera House has introduced appropriate measures, including regular cleaning, hand sanitiser stations, reduced venue capacities and physically-distanced seating, and patron check-in and contact information collection. Face masks are strongly recommended at performances. Full details can be found here. I would like to thank everyone in the Opera House family for your support. We look forward to welcoming you back beneath the sails very soon. Louise Herron AM
Sydney Opera House CEO | 
