Statement from Opera Australia

Media release 24/11/08

Opera Australia regrets to announce the tragic death of Richard Hickox CBE, its Music Director. Hickox died of a massive heart attack on Sunday in the UK.

‘All of us at Opera Australia are profoundly shocked and saddened by the news of Richard Hickox’s death. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, Pamela Helen Stephen and their children, Abigail and Adam. They are very much in our thoughts during this terribly sad time,’ said Adrian Collette.

In his long association with Opera Australia, Mr Hickox has conducted new productions of Julius Caesar, Billy Budd, The Love of Three Oranges, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Rusalka, and Arabella (which won this year’s prestigious Helpmann Award for Best Opera), The Tales of Hoffmann and Alcina. CD recordings of The Love of Three Oranges and Rusalka have been released by Chandos and received very positive reviews in the international and local press. Mr Hickox has also led major revivals, including The Makropulos Secret, Tannhauser, and Death in Venice.