This week's unveiling of the State Theatre's restored Wurlitzer organ is the result of years of painstaking work on one of only 12 such instruments worldwide that remain as originally installed, and the only one in Australia
Ninety years ago, in a cinema galaxy far, far away, the State Theatre opened and was billed as "the Empire's Greatest Theatre" – thanks largely to its giant pipe organ that brought silent films to life.As the largest pipe organ outside America exported by the Rudolf Wurlitzer Manufacturing Company, it was a major drawcard for 1929 Sydney theatre-goers, rising dramatically from its console from where the organist would create special effects on stage.
Chicago-based restorer Jeff Weiler said this week's unveiling was the result of years of painstaking work on one of only 12 such instruments worldwide that remain as originally installed, and the only one in Australia.Credit:"The Wurlitzer pipe organ of the State Theatre is a cultural icon of international importance," Mr Weiler said.
"The organ is made up of thousands of parts, some weighing as much as 12 tons – 10,000 kilograms – that are unseen to audiences," Mr Weiler said.Louise Kennerley "This job is up there with some of the most important things I've ever done," said heritage consultant Jonathan Bryant, who has worked on the project for a decade.
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