called for her sacking for refusing to allow Racing NSW to use the Opera House sails to advertise The Everest horse race. Within hours, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian overruled Herron. Two days later, Prime Minister Scott Morrison supported the decision, calling the Opera House "the biggest billboard Sydney has". The NSW Labor Party leader, Luke Foley, and senior federal Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese had supported the proposal. The political view was not supported by significant public opinion, with a petition against the advertising collecting over 298,000 names by 9 October 2018. 235,000 printed petition documents were presented to the NSW Parliament in the morning. A survey conducted on 8 October by market research firm Micromex found that 81% of those surveyed were not supportive of the premier's direction. Notable performances 1960 – The first person to perform at the Sydney Opera House was Paul Robeson – he sang "Ol' Man River" to the construction workers as they ate lunch. 1973 – Sergei Prokofiev's War and Peace, on 28 September 1973. 1973 – Opening gala concert in the concert hall with music by Richard Wagner. Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras. Soloist: The great Swedish soprano Birgit Nilsson, on 29 September 1973. 1973 – The Carol Burnett Show performed comedy sketches, song and dance; including Tim Conway as the world's oldest conductor. 1974 – Opera singer Joan Sutherland performed for the first time in the theatre that would be named for her. 1978 – Irish rockers Thin Lizzy (played a free concert on the steps) and was brought out on the record Thin Lizzy Live at Sydney Harbour '78. 1985 – Ray Lawler's classic Doll Trilogy. 1987 – Pope John Paul II gave a speech in the Concert Hall during his visit to Australia. 1990 – Nelson Mandela addressed a crowd of 40,000 and attended a choral performance of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica ("God Bless Africa"). 1991 – Joan Sutherland gives her final performance. 1995 – Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan: starring Jacqueline McKenzie in the title role of Joan of Arc. 1996 – Crowded House played their record-breaking Farewell to the World concert on the steps. 2000 – Swimmer Samantha Riley stands on top of one of the Concert Hall's shells with the Olympic Torch, before sending the flame on its final journey to light the cauldron at Stadium Australia. 2003 – Pulitzer Prize winning play Proof by David Auburn,