The Sydney Quiz: Richard Tognetti, violinist, composer and Australian Chamber Orchestra artistic director

Musical maestro Richard Tognetti gives us his Sydney insights.

First memory of Sydney?

I was 11 or so, but remember pretending to be older than I was, and I was in a Sydney park and out of nowhere someone threw a knife at me. I went up to a policeman, who was on horseback, on Devonshire Street to tell him about it and he just shooed me away. I remember thinking, ‘Wow, this is really the city’. I also remember the smell of hops from all the breweries that used to be around Central Station.

Best thing about living in Sydney?

The Sydney Opera House, the beaches and the increasing intensity of the place.

Worst thing?

That it’s not Melbourne (haha).

Sydney’s best-kept secret?

Sydney itself is a best-kept secret, I think. It feels like we’re still here at the beginning of the party.

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Best takeaway?

Fried rice and anything with chicken from Long Chim, in Angel Place.

Best beach?

As a surfer, Newport beach. It holds an important place in surfing history, having spawned so many of Australia’s first generation of proper professional surfers, including Tom and Nick Carroll, and Derek Hynd.

How would you make Sydney better?

Wouldn’t it be great if we talked more about art?

Who would you like to bump into on the street?

One of the original convicts, and share a rum with him/her.

Favourite building in Sydney?

Pier 2/3 at Walsh Bay. A valuable Sydney cultural asset and the future home of the ACO.

Best exercise in town?

Surfing, of course. I have a lot of friction-free, finless surfboards from [surfer] Derek Hynd. But I travel so much that I don’t get to surf nearly as often as I’d like to. I reckon my brother fits in 40 surfs for each of my one.

Sydney pet hate?

Poor public transport and an increase in bad manners.

Most recent discovery?

My friend David Thompson has recently opened yet another brilliant Thai restaurant in Angel Place [Long Chim]. We’re very lucky to now have some of the world’s best Thai food right on our doorstep at the City Recital Hall.

Describe Sydney in three words.

Bewitching. Potential. Intense.

Richard Tognetti and the ACO are touring Mountain nationally from August 3-20. Tickets available at www.aco.com.au