The Cupola

The Arts and Crafts cupola over the stage was designed by Gerald Moira and executed by Frank Lynn Jenkins. It was restored during the Hall's refurbishment in 1991–2.

The painting symbolises the striving of humanity after the elusiveness of music in its great abstraction.

The Soul of Music

The central figure is the Soul of Music. He is gazing up at the Genius of Harmony – a ball of eternal fire whose rays are reflected across the world.

A tangled network of thorns separates this portion of the picture from the four other figures – representing the separation of man from the perfect spiritual conception of music because he is ensnared by materialism.

Left Side

Here a musician plays in a trance, seeking inspiration from beyond. Also there is Love, who has roses in her hand. She represents the idea that a musician's incentive is love for their art, and their reward is beauty.

Right Side

On this side is Psyche – representing the human soul – inspiring a seated composer, transcribing music on a scroll.

Background

The background of the painting is a deep blue sky with clouds of Divine Mystery floating overhead.