Publisher's Synopsis
Designed by the convict architect Francis Greenway, Sydney's Conservatorium of Music, picturesquely situated on the edge of the city's verdant Botanic Gardens, was constructed as a stables for the horses and carriages of early New South Wales governors. Described by one early critic as being of "useless magnificence" this castellated Gothic building fell into crumbling disrepair in the late 19th century, only to be rescued and refurbished at the beginning of World War I as the site of Sydney's newly founded music school. Eighty years later, this building, no longer adequate for the function it served, was again refurbished and extended amid much public controversy.;This book, a history of the institution, is published to coincide with the official opening of the new, larger and thoroughly state-of-the-art Conservatorium. Controversy is a major theme of its history. Turbulence rather than tranquillity has characterized the institution for most of the 85 years of its existence.;Not surprisingly for an institution that has employed or nurtured some of the finest Australian musical talents of the 20th century - among them Roger Woodward, Joan Sutherland, Alfred Hill, Don Burrows and Richard Bonyngs - and been directed by such strong-minded individualists as Henri Verbrugghen and Eugene Goossens, egos have often clashed spectacularly. Despite this, Sydney's Conservatorium has served its community with distinction. It has launched hundreds of young musicians into successful careers and given countless others an abiding love and understanding of music in many different styles and genres. It is also an integral part of the musical life of the city and was for many years the main venue for musical events.;Diane Collins' evocative history captures the flavour and tone of this important educational establishment in successive eras and brings to life many of the predominant players in its development.
