Vale Andrew McKinnon
Tributes are flowing in for impresario Andrew McKinnon, who died suddenly on 21 February 2023, at the age of 70.
His family released the following statement with great sadness:
"Andrew dedicated his life to the arts; his enthusiasm and love for music and theatre is celebrated by all who knew him.
An impresario for more than thirty-five years, Andrew presented many of world’s greatest singers, actors, and musicians in a wide range of theatrical and operatic performances, concerts and recitals throughout Australia and New Zealand. He has also taken productions to Canada and the United States.
Some of Andrew’s highlights have included immensely popular tours of Dickens’ Women, starring Miriam Margolyes and John Martin; a fully imported American production of the Gershwin opera Porgy and Bess; the world’s greatest mime Marcel Marceau; a presentation in the Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center, New York, of Scotland The Brave; a concert tribute to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at Sydney Opera House; tours by Larry Adler, the Vienna Boys’ Choir, classical guitar superstar Milos, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason with his remarkable siblings, pianists David Helfgott, Piers Lane, Jayson Gillham, Alexander Gavrylyuk, Guy Noble; and leading opera stars including Victoria de los Angeles, Nicolai Gedda, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Sir Thomas Allen, Sumi Jo, Joseph Calleja, Teresa Berganza, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, David Hobson, Joan Carden, Yvonne Kenny, Inessa Galante, Nicole Car, Etienne Dupuis and Greta Bradman.
Andrew’s commitment to the development of the arts in Australia and his generosity to young performers and producers will always be remembered."
Miriam Margolyes has written the following.
"There are no words to describe my loss. His belief in me and in my work allowed me to present DICKENS’ WOMEN and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING MIRIAM, both with John Martin, throughout Australia and New Zealand. His integrity, taste, generosity were limitless. He adored theatre and music, supported Art and artists everywhere. He relished friendship and celebrated excellence wherever he found it. Australia has him to thank for countless great artists he brought over from Marcel Marceau to the Kanneh-Mason family. I loved him with all my heart. Andrew - Thankyou. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."
Paul Dellit has written the following.