Sydney Opera House gets major upgrade to fix hated acoustics

SYDNEY (AP) - Sydney's iconic Opera House will undergo a sweeping, multimillion-dollar makeover, including a long-awaited upgrade to its much-maligned acoustics.

New South Wales officials announced plans on Thursday for the 202 million Australian dollar ($155 million) project, which is the largest renovation Australia's most famous landmark has undergone since it opened in 1973. The renovation will involve the creation of a new entrance and the refurbishment of its main performance space, the Concert Hall.

Though the building's exterior is universally admired for its dramatic, sweeping sails, its interior has long drawn the wrath of musicians who complain about the poor quality of the Concert Hall's acoustics.

In 1999, one of Australia's leading symphony orchestras threatened to boycott the venue, saying the acoustics absorb sound and drain energy from their performances.