Renowned pianist Roger Woodward has performed in some of the greatest theatres and concert halls, but he regards Gulgong’s Prince of Wales Opera House as one of the world’s gems. 

Mr Woodward continued his long association with the Opera House on Friday  night, performing as part of a tour of regional towns. 

“Around the world, there are a some very special theatres and this is one of them,” Mr Woodward said.

“It has a great tradition -  Dame Nellie Melba performed here and Percy Grainger.” 

Mr Woodward praised the “very, very fine” acoustics of the building, which was built in a time when performers’ voices and instruments had to reach the audience without the aid of microphones. 

He also enjoyed the intimacy of the venue, where some members were close enough to watch Mr Woodward’s flying fingers as he  played works by Beethoven, Debussy and Bach. 

“It’s the way concerts used to be - it’s very special,” he said, noting that most large modern theatres allow little or no contact between the audience and performers. 

Mr Woodward has a personal as well as musical connection with Gulgong. 

His great-grandfather is buried in the town’s original cemetery and a portrait of  his great aunt, the great English Shakespearean actress Dame Ellen Terry, hangs on the wall of the Prince of Wales Opera House, along with other luminaries who have graced its stage since the 1870s. 

Mr Woodward’s support for  the Prince of Wales Opera House has been recognised in the naming of the Roger Woodward Prize, awarded  for the “most beautiful” performance by a musician in the annual Gulgong Eisteddfod.

“I am very honoured that the citizens of Gulgong have put my name to an award for the eisteddfod,” he said.

“Great literature has come out of the bush, and great art has come out of the bush,  so why shouldn’t great music come out of the bush?” 

Mr Woodward’s concert also reunited him with the Opera House’s Steinway grand piano, which was originally bought from the ABC. 

He said the piano, now around 60 years old,  is a very good instrument but is in need of refurbishment. 

Mr Woodward is confident that Member for Dubbo and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant will be able to find the money needed to ensure the instrument remains part of the Opera House’s “vast tradition”. 

“I’ll come and do a concert to celebrate,” he promised.