Great Hall of the University of Sydney
The Great Hall of the University of Sydney | |
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The University of Sydney | |
Technical details | |
Material |
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Design and construction | |
Architect(s) |
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Other designers |
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Known for | Stained-glass windows, gables and gargoyles |
Website | |
sydney | |
New South Wales Heritage Database (Local Government Register) | |
Official name | Main Quad / East Range and Great Hall |
Type | Local government (built) |
Designated | 1999 |
Reference no. | 4726003 |
Group | Education |
Category | University |
Builders |
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The Great Hall of the University of Sydney, is one of the principal structures of
The Great Hall, Main Quadrangle and the East Range of the University of Sydney were listed on the City of Sydney local government heritage list in 1999; where the collection of buildings are described as ".... probably the most significant group of Gothic Revival Buildings in Australia."[2]
History
Designed by Sir
The Great Hall was completed in July 1859, and represents one of Blacket's finest accomplishments. On 18 July 1859, degrees were first conferred upon graduates by the university in a formal ceremony in the Hall.[3]
Organ
During 1881–1882, a Forster & Andrews pipe organ was installed, later to be replaced in 1972 by the present organ, manufactured by Rudolf von Beckerath of Hamburg, Germany;[2][4] and installed with the assistance of Ronald Sharp.
The organ has three manuals and pedals, a mechanical key and electric stop action, 54 stops, 79 ranks and 4005 pipes. The cedar case was constructed in the university's Joinery Shop, and blends with the architecture of the Great Hall. Looking towards the organ, the three manual and pedal console can be seen on the left. Above it are large principal pipes from the Great division (middle keyboard), with the rest of the Great pipes situated immediately behind these display pipes. Above the Great is the Swell division (top keyboard), which is the expressive section of the instrument enclosed in a large wooden box with front shutters operated by the Swell pedal at the console. In the centre of the gallery, jutting out into the hall, is the Ruckpositiv division (bottom keyboard), and on the right side, the Pedal division.[5][6]
Architecture
The Great Hall is recognised as one of the finest examples of the Victorian Gothic revival style of architecture in Australia, in a design that reflects, and harmoniously complements the University Quadrangle of which it forms part.
Twelve carved wooden figures of angels are located among the beams holding items that reference the arts and sciences – Grammar has a papyrus roll, Dialectic has Aristotle's diagram of the three syllogistic figures, Poetry has a harp, Ethics has a St Mary's lily, Metaphysics has a symbol of the Deity, Arithmetic has an abacus, Geometry has the 47th proposition of the first book of Euclid, Astronomy has a star, Music has a lyre, and Physics has an ancient air pump. An angel of knowledge originally sat atop the eastern gable, however was removed in 1874.[3]
The marble floor, elevated upon the western side of the hall, mirrors the dais found in Westminster Hall, upon which the throne of King Richard II stood. The armorial bearings upon the southern side of the Hall, as well as the frame of the Oriel window, have been carved of Caen stone. The walls are otherwise constructed of Sydney sandstone, with a floor of marble.[citation needed]
Gallery
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The Main Quadrangle, the University of Sydney, viewed from Great Hall
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The arched roof of the Great Hall
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Statue of William Wentworth
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 0-909723-17-6.
- ^ a b c "Main Quad / East Range and Great Hall". New South Wales Heritage Database. Office of Environment & Heritage. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- ^ The University of Sydney. n.d. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- ^ Maidment, John (n.d.). "The organ in Australia". Organs of Australia. Organ Historical Trust of Australia. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- The University of Sydney. n.d. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- ^ "Great Hall, University of Sydney". Sydney Organ. August 2018. Retrieved 20 December 2019.