Peter Weiss Rehearsal Rooms
Thanks to the generosity of the late Peter Weiss AO, the Concert Hall – the heart of the Opera House – will soon have rehearsal facilities that are fitting for the renowned international and Australian musicians who fill this beloved space with glorious music.
Like you and me, Peter had an enduring love of the Opera House which came from his great love in life – music.
Peter enabled great classical music in Australia over many years and was a long-term Opera House donor.
New practice spaces for Concert Hall artists
Recently, we shared with Peter our plans to renew the Concert Hall in its biggest upgrade since our 1973 opening.
We asked Peter if he would help bring to life a long-held dream – to provide professional rehearsal rooms for our largest venue, which is in use almost 365 days a year but has no dedicated artist practice spaces.
Without hesitation, Peter agreed.
“My greatest joy is to give”
The late Peter Weiss AO
Philanthropy December 2018
Thanks to the generosity of Peter Weiss AO, the Concert Hall – the heart of the Opera House – will soon have rehearsal facilities that are fitting for the renowned international and Australian musicians who fill this beloved space with glorious musicPress play to watch video
$1m for new and upgraded rehearsal rooms
Through his $1m gift, Peter is enabling the Opera House to create two completely new rehearsal rooms for the artists who use the Concert Hall and to upgrade spaces used by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for their musicians.
The artists that the Opera House presents are the beneficiaries of the new rooms – great orchestras like Staatskapelle Berlin (2018) and soloists like Renée Fleming (2015), as well as our Opera House Utzon Music Series artists, and touring artists like Nigel Kennedy and Yo-Yo Ma.
Our flagship resident companies will also benefit, in particular the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, as well as organisations we partner with such as Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and the Opera Australia Orchestra which performs for Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet when they are at the Opera House.
Community organisations such Sydney Eisteddfod and the many primary and secondary schools who perform concerts in the Concert Hall will be able to use the spaces.
As Peter says in the video, we will have “beautiful rehearsal rooms for the players who are deserving of those rooms.”
Peter keeps giving
Following a devastating bushfire season in the summer of 2020, Peter reissued his iconic and much-loved Weiss Art koala t-shirts to raise money for the research and advocacy of koala wildlife, habitats and communities. His support has enabled 100% of the sale price of this t-shirt to go to the Taronga Conservation Society Australia. To purchase a t-shirt and support our wildlife, visit the Sydney Opera House online shop.
Your gift for the Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is not-for-profit and belongs to us all.
Your generosity is essential to help treasure and renew this World Heritage-listed masterpiece for current and future generations.
Every gift, large and small, makes a difference.
Give now or learn more philanthropy@sydneyoperahouse.com or 02 9250 7077.