Sir Charles Mackerras, AC, CH, CBE

The world of music is mourning the death of Sir Charles Mackerras, who died on 14 July, 2010, aged 84. He was born on 17 November, 1925.

His conducting introduced me to the operas of Janáček, and my long-time favourite opera, "The House of the Dead", which seems to me to convey aspects of the atmosphere of Eastern Europe before 1989.

 In 1947 he won a British Council Scholarship to study in Prague under Vaclav Talich, at the Academy of Music.

The fact that he was an Australian, and had studied in Sydney and in Prague, made it a natural development and partnership that the British Council in Australia and Sir Charles should co-finance a scholarship for young Australian composers and conductors, who were encouraged to study in the UK and in Prague. Sir Charles and Lady Mackerras were extraordinarily generous in agreeing to this joint scholarship, which continued for a number of years.

I was very fortunate in that I had the opportunity to go to many operas in Prague in Sydney (even though I am more of a bluesman!). I miss having the chance to attend a Mozart or Janáček first night at the Sydney Opera House. Most of all we shall miss Sir Charles Mackerras; but his legacy will live on. The Czechs, in particular, will always be grateful for what he did for Czech Music.