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AUSTRALIA’S iconic Sydney Opera House will undergo a major revamp in the next 4.5 years, the largest ever works program in the site’s 43-year history.
The US$188 million overhaul will see significant improvements on acoustics, which has been plagued with many sound and technical issues over the years.
Sydney Opera House chief executive Louise Herron said, “The problem with the very high ceiling a lot of the sound that the orchestra actually makes rises and isn’t reflected down, so that the musicians on one side – for example, the second violins – have trouble hearing the double basses.”
“It means, it’s not such a good experience as it could be if the sound is more contained.”
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Video can’t be loaded: Renewal: Designs for the Opera House’s future – 3D Walkthrough (https://youtu.be/hKxqiHbadX8)
The refurbishments in the main concert hall will involve the installation of a new acoustic ceiling, specially designed acoustic reflectors, automated draping, and a 3D surround-sound system. The “glass donuts” above the stage and the “ugly marquee” outside will both be removed.
The building’s foyer will also be upgraded; the old air conditioning system above the ceiling will be replaced with a more sophisticated installation beneath the seats.
Louise said, “”A lot of the equipment is … old and anyone knows that technology has moved a long way and has worked really hard, so that needs to be replaced.”
The Opera House cost $100 million to build, but the “cultural and iconic” value of the World Heritage site is US$3.52 billion. The attraction pulls in over 8.2 million visitors a year and contributes more than US$760 million to the Australian economy.
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Source: travelwireasia.com