Hamer Hall reopening upon us

*This article was published 10 years ago.

Mark July 26 in your diary. After a long redevelopment, this is the date the Arts Centre will reopen and spectacularly reintroduce itself to the Yarra River.

Hamer Hall has been out of action since 2010, so excitement levels for its return are at fever pitch. This is especially true among the major tenants of the hall, such as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO), which have had to make do with temporary homes since the renovations began.

MSO cello player Rohan de Korte told Southbank Local News the entire organisation was anticipating the reopening.

“Everyone at the MSO is very excited about our return to our home at Hamer Hall, after a two-year gap. For the musicians we’re most looking forward to the improvement in acoustics in the hall – making it easier for us to hear each other across stage, but also for our audiences to get the most out of our performances,” Mr de Korte said.

“It’s opened up the concert hall to the river, making music and the arts even more a part of Melbourne’s life,” he added.

The Arts Centre management was equally excited about the pending opening with chief executive Judith Isherwood saying the whole organisation was looking forward to the re-opening.

“Having Hamer Hall back is music to our ears and we are absolutely delighted with its stunning transformation,” Ms Isherwood said.

“Not only has the auditorium been improved but we now have new restaurants, new bars, new cafés, new box offices, new digital art technology and changes to the building’s opening hours will ensure Hamer Hall becomes a new favourite haunt for Victorians and visitors alike,” she added.

Victorian Minister for Major Projects, Denis Napthine said the re-opening was a landmark moment for one of the state’s favourite facilities.

“This is a great moment for Victoria. Built 30 years ago, our wonderful hall had begun to lag behind other concert halls around the world and so this project has transformed it into a first-class contemporary facility,” Mr Napthine said.

“The Victorian Government’s $135.8 million redevelopment of Hamer Hall has made it more accessible, providing a better experience for audiences and ensuring that it can continue to attract and present a wide range of top international and local performers for many more years to come,” he added.

The hall will re-open with a bang. The four-day celebrations kick off with a massive concert on the opening night with performances by k.d lang, Rachelle Durkin, Caroline O’Connor, Eddie Perfect, Archie Roach and Lior. •