New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music
The Sydney University Wind Orchestra (SUWO) performing inside the Verbrugghen Hall
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Other name
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The Con |
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Former name
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New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music |
| Type | Public university college |
| Established | 1915 |
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Parent institution
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University of Sydney |
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Academic affiliation
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| Head of School and Dean | Professor Anna Reid |
| Students | 750 |
| Location |
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 33°51′48″S 151°12′52″E / 33.863455°S 151.214353°ECoordinates: 33°51′48″S 151°12′52″E / 33.863455°S 151.214353°E |
| Website | sydney |
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| Building details | |
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 Conservatorium of Music
Location in Greater Sydney
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| Former names | Stables for the First Government House |
| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Architectural style | Gothic Picturesque |
| Construction started | 9 August 1817 |
| Completed | 1820 |
| Client | Colonial Governor |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect |
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| Renovating team | |
| Architect | Chris Johnson anor. |
| Renovating firm | NSW Government Architect with Daryl Jackson, Robin Dyke and Robert Tanner |
| References | |
| Official name | Conservatorium of Music |
| Type | Built |
| Criteria | a., b., c., d., e., f., g. |
| Designated | 14 November 2011 |
| Reference no. | 01849 |
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music (formerly the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music or ‘The Con’) is one of the oldest and most prestigious music schools in Australia. Located adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens on the eastern fringe of the Sydney central business district, the Conservatorium is a faculty of the University of Sydney, and incorporates the community-based Conservatorium Open Academy and the Conservatorium High School. In addition to its secondary, undergraduate, post-graduate and community education teaching and learning functions, the Conservatorium also undertakes research in various fields of music.
Originally commissioned in 1815 as the stables for the proposed Government House, the oldest Conservatorium building was designed by the convict architect, Francis Greenway. Listed on the State Heritage Register in the Gothic Picturesque architectural style with turrets, the building was described as a "palace for horses" and is a portrayal of the romantic vision of Governor Lachlan Macquarie and the British architectural trends of the time. It is the only example of a gothic building designed by Greenway still standing. The cost and apparent extravagance was one of the reasons Macquarie was recalled to Britain. The stables, located close to picturesque Sydney Harbour, reflect the building techniques and the range of materials and skills employed during the early settlement era.
At the time of its listing on the State Heritage Register, the building was given the following statement of significance:
The Conservatorium of Music is of State Heritage Significance because the former Government House Stables is a notable example of Old Colonial Gothick architecture. It is a rare surviving example of the work of noted ex-convict architect Francis Greenway in the Old Colonial Gothick style. Greenway was instrumental in Macquarie accomplishing Macquarie's aim to transforming the fledgling colony into an orderly, well mannered society and environment. It is the only example of a gothic building designed by Greenway still standing. The cost and apparent extravagance was one of the reasons Macquarie was recalled to Britain.
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