Opera Australia is saddened to learn of the death of James Strong, who was on the Board of Opera Australia for five years. After this time he stood down from the Board when he agreed with the Federal Government to lead the Review into Orchestras, which in turn led to new funds being invested in the sector. James made a major contribution to Opera Australia and an even larger contribution to the Arts in Australia.
"James Strong was a great supporter of all the arts and in particular, opera," said Ziggy Swikowski, Chairman of the Opera Australia Board. "He was on the Opera Australia Board from 1999 - 2004 and offered valuable wisdom, insight and passion for opera, to the company. On leaving Opera Australia the relationship continued, with James being a frequent and welcome visitor to performances. His passing is a great loss to business and the arts alike."
Former Opera Australia CEO Adrian Collette said, "For me as CEO James was a wonderful, humane source of advice and support. He was well known for his sartorial elegance; but also had a most elegant mind which was, rarely, both incisive and imaginative. He loved the arts, but was also serious about our business and sustainability. He will be missed."
"James Strong was a great supporter of all the arts and in particular, opera," said Ziggy Swikowski, Chairman of the Opera Australia Board. "He was on the Opera Australia Board from 1999 - 2004 and offered valuable wisdom, insight and passion for opera, to the company. On leaving Opera Australia the relationship continued, with James being a frequent and welcome visitor to performances. His passing is a great loss to business and the arts alike."
Former Opera Australia CEO Adrian Collette said, "For me as CEO James was a wonderful, humane source of advice and support. He was well known for his sartorial elegance; but also had a most elegant mind which was, rarely, both incisive and imaginative. He loved the arts, but was also serious about our business and sustainability. He will be missed."
