Beloved Australian musician and Order of Australia recipient Stephen Phillips died earlier this month after a long illness.
Phillips was general director of the South Australian State Opera from 1989 to 2011 and, under his direction, helped the company mount several world-class productions.
He was a respected leader in his field and under his supervision SOSA premiered many popular shows, including Dead Man Walking (2003), Little Women (2007), and Moby Dick (2010).
In 2013, the English-born businessman was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, in recognition of his services to arts administration in the field of opera.
SOSA confirmed his death on Wednesday in a statement: ‘Okay Stephen Phillips, former general director of the South Australian State Opera passed away last weekend.
Beloved Australian musician and Order of Australia recipient Stephen Phillips (pictured) died earlier this month after a long illness. Phillips was general director of the South Australian State Opera from 1989 to 2011.
“A strong supporter and contributor to our company’s proud history of firsts, including the first Ring Cycle built in Australia in 2004.”
Phillips was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, in England and moved to Australia in 1973.
His introduction to the arts scene came that same year when he began working at the Sydney Opera House, shortly after its grand opening.
He was a respected leader in his field and under his supervision SOSA premiered many popular shows, including Dead Man Walking (2003), Little Women (pictured) (2007) and Moby Dick (2010).
The Opera scene was quick to pay tribute to the legend after his death.
The Western Australian Opera issued a statement saying Phillips was a “colleague, friend and supporter of Australian artists”.
Stephen had spoken about his love of opera in an interview with ABC in 2010.
“To begin with, I think I’m probably best described as an opera obsessive,” he said.
“For me, opera is totally unique and has an extraordinary ability to suspend the audience’s disbelief in a way that I believe no other form of performing art can. And, of course, to achieve it you have to do it brilliantly.’
SOSA confirmed his passing on Wednesday in a heartbreaking statement: ‘Okay Stephen Phillips, former general director of the South Australian State Opera passed away last weekend.