The 60-year-old English conductor died on Sunday in a hotel room in Swansea, Wales, as he prepared for an orchestral recording session, his publicist of 20 years, Stephen Lumsden, confirmed.

The shock was still being absorbed last night by members of Opera Australia.

Hickox's wife, singer Pamela Helen Stephen, and their two children flew to London yesterday.

Based in Sydney, Hickox was appointed in 2005 and was reportedly paid $1million a year.

Hickox has faced accusations of nepotism related to his wife and was recently at the centre of a public dispute involving opera singer Fiona Janes, who criticised his commitment.

Janes said she wanted to discuss concerns ''regarding the future of Opera Australia'' with OA's chairman Gordon Fell and other board members.

In a letter to the Opera Australia board, Janes said the company was headed for mediocrity. Hickox's conducting was also criticised along with his apparent absence from Opera Australia duties.