The celebrated Australian opera and theatre director Elijah Moshinsky has been awarded the Opera Australia Trophy, the company’s highest honour. First given to Dame Joan Sutherland in 1990, the Trophy is an acknowledgement of Moshinsky’s long service to the company and his pre-eminent contribution to the country’s operatic landscape. While Moshinsky is unable to receive the award in person in Sydney, it has been bestowed upon the director to coincide with the company’s revival of his production of Werther.

Elijah Moshinsky. Photo © Jeff Busby

“When I left Australia to continue my studies at Oxford, I was already theatre and opera mad,” said Moshinsky upon receiving the Trophy. “I had always wanted to return and reform performance in Australia. After an invitation from Sir Edward Downes to direct the Australian premiere of Wozzeck, I was taken up by Moffatt Oxenbould who threw at me the entire history of Opera to present in Australia. It was a glorious period. Slowly, by example, I had the opportunity to show something new and challenging to opera in Australia. My artistic aim was to keep loyal to Australia and my devotion and commitment to that aim has lasted...