In what could well be his final visit to Australia, Maestro Zubin Mehta led the Australian World Orchestra in triumphant concerts in Melbourne and Sydney, following appearances at the Edinburgh Festival and BBC Proms. As he took his bows to a rapturous audience at the Sydney Opera House on 2 September, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley, Governor-General of Australia, took to the stage to present the legendary Maestro with an Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), in recognition of his eminent service to the Australia-India bilateral relationship and humanity at large, particularly in the fields of classical music and philanthropy.

Zubin Mehta

Maestro Zubin Mehta conducts the Australian World Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House, 2022. Photo © Prudence Upton

Australian World Orchestra Artistic Director Alexander Briger said, “We are delighted with this much deserved recognition for one of the world’s finest conductors who throughout his life continues to use the power of music to create unification. Maestro Zubin Mehta first came to the Australian World Orchestra in 2013 and the orchestra has been enriched by his musical brilliance and vision ever since, in performances...