Richard Bonynge AC BCE

Richard Bonynge is an international conductor and pianist specialising in the Bel Canto repertoire with a vast recording and performance history of opera, ballet and recital recordings. He was Musical Director of The Australian Opera and Vancouver Opera. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to music in 1977.

In 1983, he was made Officer of the Order of Australia, followed by a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2012 for eminent service to the performing arts as an acclaimed conductor and musical scholar to classical singing and the promotion of opera, and through the collection and preservation of opera manuscripts. In 1989, he received a Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and in 2009 the Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award.