With Terry Harper’s retirement after 50 years of tuning pianos at the Sydney Opera House, the story unfolds a rich history intertwined with music, family legacy, and personal passion for the arts.
**End of an Era: Sydney Opera House Loses its Longtime Piano Tuner Terry Harper**
**End of an Era: Sydney Opera House Loses its Longtime Piano Tuner Terry Harper**
After half a century of service, Sydney Opera House bids farewell to its dedicated piano tuner Terry Harper, highlighting a legacy of music and craftsmanship in the iconic venue.
For the past five decades, the Sydney Opera House has served as a stage for countless artistic performances, political gatherings, and cultural events. At the heart of this illustrious venue was Terry Harper, the man behind the perfect pitch of its pianos. As the Opera House celebrates its 50th anniversary, it also marks the end of a chapter with Harper's retirement, a role that dates back to the building's opening in 1973 when his father first tuned its instruments.
From an early age, Harper was immersed in music. His father, Ron Harper, renowned as both a piano tuner and a performer, introduced him to the world of music at local nightclubs. Despite a brief stint with piano lessons and a preference for drumming and choir, Terry found his true calling in tuning, a craft he honed from his teenage years.
Recalling his initial experience of the Opera House, Harper remembers stepping into a still-bare concert hall with excitement. He took his first tuning job at the venue just three years after its opening, joining the family tradition in perfect harmony. "I always had a very good sense of pitch," he states, explaining that his tuning process relies solely on his ear.
Over the years, Harper has developed an association with notable music icons, tuning pianos for artistic legends while also balancing the demanding aspects of his role amidst the operational bustle of the venue. Each tunning session can take up to 90 minutes, and the 30 pianos within require a tune before every performance. Reflecting on his work, he says, "They're really gunning them," comparing performance pianos to F1 racing cars.
As the pandemic shifted the work landscape, Harper found comfort in reduced demands, ultimately deciding to retire this year. Uninterested in following in his father's footsteps, his son has chosen to pursue a different career path in tech, marking the end of the Harper legacy in piano tuning at the Opera House.
Now bidding farewell, the venue is evaluating new contractors for piano tuning, with Harper humorously suggesting he may have been working the equivalent of six people's jobs. "I'm going to miss the place," he reflects, as he prepares to close this chapter of his life filled with camaraderie and passion for the arts.
As Sydney Opera House enters a new era without Terry Harper, it remains a sanctuary for music lovers, historians, and artists alike, continuing to uphold the vibrant legacy nurtured by its longtime piano tuner.
