Tributes to Stratford’s Stephen Phillips who carved out a dazzling career in opera Down Under
TRIBUTES from the arts world are pouring in for a self-confessed “opera-aniac”.
Stephen Phillips, who carved out a dazzling career in opera, has died aged 75 after a long illness.
Born and brought-up in Stratford, Stephen travelled to Australia in 1973 and found a job shifting scenery for the newly-opened Sydney Opera House.
He was soon promoted to assistant stage manager and then stage manager and in 1995, became general director of State Opera South Australia where he excelled until his retirement in 2011.
During his time as general director he presented two Wagner Ring Cycles and oversaw many premieres.
His glittering career brought him into close contact with many stars of the stage, including Dame Joan Sutherland and the pair became good friends.
In 2013, Stephen was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for significant services to the arts administration in the field of opera.
State Opera South Australia has praised him as: ‘A strong supporter and contributor to our company's proud history of firsts’.
And West Australian Opera published a moving tribute calling him a “colleague, friend and advocate for Australian artists.”
Many opera singers and stage technicians who worked with him over the years paid tribute to Stephen, thanking him for being encouraging and supportive and recalling his ‘cheeky sense of humour.
And one colleague recalled how Stephen “led State Opera with great advocacy and aplomb. His vision lifted the company to heights beyond what should have been possible for their resources …a great achievement”.
Stephen was born in 1949 and grew up in Maidenhead Road, one of five children. He attended The Croft and then Warwick School and his love of theatre, Shakespeare and music became obvious from an early age.
After an aunt introduced him to opera, he was hooked and would travel to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden as often as possible.
His father Carey Phillips, a solicitor with Lodders, persuaded Stephen to train as a chartered surveyor so he had something to fall back on, but Stephen never needed that plan B.
Interviewed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 2010, he joked that he was “probably best described as an opera-aniac”.
His younger sister Charlotte Wells said: “Stephen was extraordinary and very highly thought-of.
“He was always passionate about opera and we had Radio 3 on for him even while he was unwell.
“He helped many young opera singers and technicians and it’s comforting to read the tributes from many of those he encouraged.”
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Locke’s.
Stephen, who died on 7th April, is survived by his two sisters, Charlotte and Sarah, and good friend Franco.
