It rose behind a giant stage built over the water.
The enormous 12m high inflatable sun is a prop in Madama Butterfly, an outdoor opera performed on a temporary stage built on Australia's most famous waterway.
The very 21st century interpretation of Puccini's 1903 opera stars Japanese soprano Hiromi Omura as Cio-Cio-San.
As well as the giant sun, the opera also features a huge moon.
The moon rises during the iconic Madama Butterfly Lovers Duet.
The inflatable sun was built in Spain before being shipped to Australia.
The sun has its own barge and ‘Orb Master’ who controls inflation from within.
Featuring a 1276 square metre stage, Japanese bamboo forest, two working cars, two cranes, a live orchestra and fireworks during every performance, Madama Butterfly is set to dazzle.
Fireworks?! Oh yes. This was La Traviata in 2012.
And this was Carmen last year. Wow.
Carmen attracted tens of thousands who had never previously attended an opera.
Opera under the stars overlooking the famous Sydney Opera House. Amazing right?!
