The distinguished Australian opera conductor Frà Professor Richard Divall AO OBE has died at the age of 71. The scholar and composer, who specialised in Maltese sacred music and early Australian music, was known for his long tenure as Music Director of Victoria State Opera.

“Richard Divall was a wonderfully enthusiastic, inquisitive and passionate human being whose drive and talent turned the small Victorian Opera into the highly acclaimed Victoria State Opera,” said Opera Australia’s Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini.

Divall was born in Sydney in 1945 and attended Manly Boys’ High School before going on to study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He later studied overseas with Sir Charles Mackerras, Wolfgang Wagner, Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Sir Reginald Goodall.

Divall worked as a music producer for ABC radio before his appointment as Music Director at Queensland Opera Company in 1971. The following year he was appointed Music Director of Victoria State Opera – a position he held until 1996.

“The VSO became a company of national importance under Richard’s direction and provided opportunities for many Australian artists to launch their careers as well as for established artists to extend their repertoire,” said Terracini. “He also made a significant contribution to music and culture...