Perth Concert Hall is a concert hall located in the state capital of Western Australia near Government House and the Swan Tower Bell Tower. The building was constructed between 1971 and 1973. It was the first concert hall built in Australia after World War II. Its opening was attended by 1,700 people. Since then, the Concert Hall has been used as a venue for musical performances as well as a variety of events - school and university graduation balls, business conferences, etc.
The final design of the Concert Hall was presented to the public in 1969 - a restaurant and car park were planned to be built along with the concert hall. The total cost of the project was estimated at $3.1 million. The architects intended to erect two buildings - one for administrative premises, the second - the concert hall itself. The administrative building was built immediately, while the construction of the hall had to be postponed for several years due to funding problems. Over the years, several changes were made to the original plan. Additions included improving and landscaping the main approach to the building from St George's Terrace and constructing an underground tunnel beneath it, building an orchestra pit with movable bridges and seats that could be removed, and improving the accessibility of the building for people with disabilities. The restaurant had to be abandoned - instead, a small tavern and cocktail bar were included in the plan.
According to the architects' plan, the foyers were to be used for various exhibitions - art, sculpture and others. In order to predict how good the acoustics in the building would be in different parts of the building, computer modelling was used during construction.
The design of the Concert Hall is an excellent example of the brutal style in architecture with its light-tight interior and huge overhanging roof.
A 3,000-tube organ was specially purchased for the concert hall, around which a balcony was placed for a choir of 160 people. The organ was custom-designed and cost the Concert Hall administration $100,000.
Today, the Concert Hall is considered one of Australia's finest venues for musical performances. The London Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Israel Symphony Orchestra and artists such as BB King, Sting, Melissa Etheridge, Ray Charles, Rowan Atkinson and others have performed here. The Western Australia Symphony Orchestra also gives performances here.
