Joan Sutherland

Date of Birth: November 7, 1926

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: October 10, 2010

Biography

Dame Joan Alston Sutherland OM AC DBE was an Australian operatic soprano renowned for her contribution to the bel canto repertoire, which had fallen into relative obscurity by the mid-20th century. Born on November 7, 1926, in Sydney, Australia, Sutherland was exposed to music from an early age, with her mother being a talented mezzo-soprano. Sutherland’s early vocal training was under her mother’s guidance, and she later studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Sutherland made her professional debut in 1947 in Sydney in a production of Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas.” Her breakthrough came in 1959 when she performed the title role in Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor” at the Royal Opera House in London. This performance launched her into international stardom, earning her the nickname “La Stupenda” for her extraordinary vocal prowess and brilliant coloratura technique. Throughout her illustrious career, Sutherland performed in the world’s leading opera houses and worked with prominent conductors and directors. She was particularly celebrated for her portrayals of the heroines in operas by Bellini, Donizetti, and Verdi. Her recording of “Lucia di Lammermoor” remains one of the most highly regarded recordings of the opera. Joan Sutherland retired from the stage in 1990 but continued to influence the world of opera through teaching and mentoring young singers. She passed away on October 10, 2010, in Switzerland.

5 Interesting Facts about Joan Sutherland

1. Joan Sutherland was awarded the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1979.

2. She was the first Australian to receive a Grammy Award, which she won for her recording of “The Art of the Prima Donna” in 1962.

3. Sutherland was married to conductor Richard Bonynge, who played a significant role in guiding her career and repertoire choices.

4. She was affectionately known as “La Stupenda” after her performance in Venice in 1960.

5. In 1991, Sutherland was awarded the Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a citizen of the Commonwealth.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Joan Sutherland

1. “Technique is the basis of every pursuit. If you’re a sportsman or a singer, you have to develop the technique to enable you to do the things you want to do.”

2. “You don’t only sing with your voice; you sing with your soul.”

3. “I was just lucky to have a voice that people liked.”

4. “The voice is an instrument that you really must take care of. It’s harder to keep a voice in shape than to develop it.”

5. “It’s not enough to have a beautiful voice; you must know how to use it.”