Really Interesting Women - the podcast

Episode 117

Louise Herron AM

Louise Herron became the first woman appointed to lead the World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House. During that time, she was charged with transforming the Opera House and overseeing a decade of renewal in all aspects including the largest and most transformative series of building works since the Opera House opened in 1973.

 
The renewal process included the enormous task of trying to improve the acoustics as part of the concert hall renovation. That herculean task had its first litmus test recently when the world-renowned conductor Simone Young led the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in the first concert after the renewal, stating afterwards... ‘I’ve never known anything like we’re experiencing today’. 

 
Each CEO of the Opera House seems to be a custodian, a visionary, and an historian. Louise recounts the sliding door moment that may have meant the Opera House, as we know it, may never have been built but for the late arriving Finnish/American architect Eero Saarinen who was part of the design competition judging panel and wasn’t happy with the shortlist presented to him...so he started foraging through the rejected entries (some say they may have already been literally binned) and found Utzon’s sketches (not even plans) – and just said, ‘that’s it’. 

 
It's a fascinating discussion covering not just the Opera House, but how Louise progressed her career, the drivers, and motivators behind her decisions. The transferable skills she has used in the varied jobs she has had. 

Also...we discussed where to from here for the Arts generally. How can we progress and promote the Arts and remove barriers from accessing, participating, and enjoying such a vital aspect of life.  

Head to the link in my bio for Louise Herron's podcast episode.

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