Australian Composer Meale Dies

Australia’s leading classical composer RICHARD MEALE has passed away at his home in Sydney, aged 77.

Meale, who helped shape the country’s classical music community through his operas and broadcast work, passed away on Monday (23Nov09). The cause of death has not yet been released.

After training at the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music, learning to play piano, clarinet and harp, and the University of California in Los Angeles, Meale became well known for his avant garde style.

He found fame with his 1986 opera Voss, as well as his work on Mer de glace.

Meale later worked as a lecturer at the University of Adelaide, South Australia, and in 2000 was made a Doctor of Letters at the University of New England in New South Wales.

Rory Jeffes, the managing director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, paid tribute: “So much modern music is very derivative, but he wasn’t afraid to really set new standards.

“I think that kind of creativity doesn’t come around that often and I personally am very saddened by the fact that we won’t hear new and great creative ideas coming from Richard.”