Melbourne Recital Centre

Inside the Halls and Planning Your Visit

The building is easy to spot on Sturt Street. Its honeycomb-patterned facade sits next to the Southbank Theatre, and the two make a natural pair for an evening out. Inside, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall is lined with timber, and that panelling helps shape the clear, intimate sound the hall is known for. Even from the upper levels you feel close to the performers, so a solo pianist or a string quartet carries without amplification. The Centre also has a smaller salon space. It suits recitals, talks and more experimental programs, where the audience sits only a few metres from the musicians.

What you might hear

Chamber music and classical recitals are the core of the program, but the calendar is broader than many first-time visitors expect. Jazz, folk, world music, early music on period instruments and contemporary composition all appear regularly. Both local ensembles and touring artists play here. Lunchtime and early-evening concerts can be a relaxed introduction if a full evening program feels like a big commitment.

Practical tips

• Getting there: trams run along St Kilda Road, a short walk away. Flinders Street Station is a pleasant stroll across the river past the arts precinct.
• Arrive early: allow time to collect tickets and find your level. Latecomers may be held until a suitable break in the music.
• Seating: stalls and balcony seats each have their fans. Check the official seating plan, and if you're unsure, ask the box office which seats suit the kind of concert you're attending.
• Make a night of it: Southbank's restaurants and the riverside promenade are close by. Pair a concert with a walk back over the Yarra towards the city's laneways.

Always confirm program details, accessibility services and ticketing directly with the venue before you go. For more ideas on combining a performance with an afternoon in the CBD, browse our Laneways Guide, or see other venues in Places.