Conductor Nicolette Fraillon has been granted the prestigious 2023 Bernard Heinze Memorial Prize. The award was bestowed upon her during a performance of The Australian Ballet's production of "Identity" at Arts Centre Melbourne. This Prize serves to recognize the exceptional impact made by an Australian individual on the music scene. Gary McPherson, the Ormond Chair of Music at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, lauded Fraillon's unparalleled dedication, artistic prowess, and unwavering pursuit of excellence. Her transformative interpretations, technical precision, and commitment to education have left an indelible mark on the classical music community.
Nicolette Fraillon, who served as the Music Director and Chief Conductor for The Australian Ballet from 2003 to 2022, was renowned for revitalizing the commissioning of new works, including those by Australian composers. The Artistic Director of the ballet company, David Hallberg, highlighted that she was the sole female Music Director of a major ballet company worldwide. Former TAB Artistic Director David McAllister expressed in an interview with Limelight in 2021 that Fraillon not only elevated the importance of music within the performances but also educated everyone on the significance of the interplay between music and dance. She revealed that the music is the life force of dance, dispelling the notion that it merely serves as background accompaniment.
Fraillon additionally held the position of Artistic Director for Orchestra Victoria from 2014 to 2021, during which she spearheaded the development of new regional festivals, concert series, and educational programs. In 1995, she became the first Australian female conductor to lead an Australian symphony orchestra when she collaborated with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Fraillon has since collaborated with numerous professional orchestras in Australia and internationally, including the New York Ballet, the San Francisco Ballet, and the Dutch National Ballet. Through her four-year tenure as the director of the ANU School of Music, her work with tertiary-level orchestras across Australia, and her involvement in various training programs for aspiring performers, composers, and conductors, she has built a robust support network for young musicians.
In recognition of her contributions to arts and music, Fraillon was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours.
The Bernard Heinze Memorial Prize pays tribute to the legacy of Bernard Heinze, who served as the Director of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, co-chief conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and became the first Australian knighted for his significant contributions to music in Australia.
In 2019, Fraillon's wife, composer and soprano Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, was also honored with this prize. Previous recipients of the award include conductor Simone Young, jazz pianist Judy Bailey, composer Carl Vine, and musician Richard Tognetti.
