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Dame

Joan Sutherland

OM, AC, DBE
Dame Joan Sutherland, by Allan Warren.jpg
Sutherland in 1975
Born
Joan Alston Sutherland

(1926-11-07)7 November 1926
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died 10 October 2010(2010-10-10) (aged 83)
Les Avants, Vaud, Switzerland
Other names La Stupenda
Alma mater Royal College of Music
Occupation Opera singer
Years active 1947–1990
Spouse(s) Richard Bonynge (1954–2010, her death)
Children 1

Dame Joan Alston Sutherland (7 November 1926 – 10 October 2010) was a famous Australian opera singer. She was known as a "dramatic coloratura soprano." This means she had a powerful voice that could also sing very high notes and fast, tricky musical parts.

Joan Sutherland helped bring back a style of singing called bel canto. This style focuses on beautiful, smooth singing. She was active from the late 1950s to the 1980s.

Her voice was special because it was agile and clear. She could sing very high notes strongly. She was the first Australian to win a Grammy Award for classical singing in 1962. People often called her 'La Stupenda', which means 'The Stupendous One'. Many consider her one of the greatest sopranos ever.

Early Life and Training

Joan Sutherland was born in Sydney, Australia. Her parents were from Scotland. She went to St Catherine's School in Waverley, New South Wales. As a child, she loved listening to her mother sing. Her mother was a mezzo-soprano, a type of female singing voice.

Joan started serious voice lessons at 18. Her teachers were John and Aida Dickens. In 1947, she sang in her first concert in Sydney. She performed as Dido in Dido and Aeneas.

After winning a big Australian singing competition in 1949, she moved to London. There, she studied at the Opera School of the Royal College of Music. She joined the Royal Opera House in 1952. Her first role there was the First Lady in The Magic Flute.

Becoming a Bel Canto Star

At first, Joan trained to sing powerful Wagnerian operas. In 1952, she sang her first main role at the Royal Opera House. It was Amelia in Un ballo in maschera. She also sang roles like the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro.

In 1954, Joan married Richard Bonynge. He was an Australian conductor and pianist. Their son, Adam, was born in 1956. Richard helped Joan realize her voice was perfect for bel canto. This style suited her ability to sing high notes easily. She then focused on becoming a dramatic coloratura soprano.

Opera Career Highlights

In 1959, Joan Sutherland sang the role of Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor. This performance at the Royal Opera House was a huge success. It launched her international career.

In 1960, she recorded an album called The Art of the Prima Donna. This album won a Grammy Award in 1962. It was later added to the Sounds of Australia registry.

International Acclaim

Joan sang Lucia in Paris in 1960. She also performed it at La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera in 1961. Her performance of the Mad Scene in Lucia received a 12-minute ovation. People around the world started calling her 'La Stupenda'.

Joan Sutherland (1962)
Sutherland in 1962

Her debut at the Metropolitan Opera was on 26 November 1961. She sang Lucia again. She performed there 223 times in different operas. Her last performance at the Met was in 1989.

During the 1960s, Joan added many bel canto roles to her list. These included Violetta in Verdi's La traviata and Amina in Bellini's La sonnambula. She also sang Norma in Bellini's Norma. In 1966, she added Marie in Donizetti's La fille du régiment.

In 1965, Joan toured Australia with her own opera company. A young tenor named Luciano Pavarotti joined her.

Later Career and Retirement

In the 1970s, Joan worked to improve her singing. She added more dramatic bel canto roles. These included Donizetti's Maria Stuarda and Lucrezia Borgia. She also recorded Turandot with Pavarotti in 1972.

Her early recordings show a very clear voice. Later, some critics said her words were unclear. Her husband, Richard Bonynge, said this happened as she worked on smooth singing.

In the 1980s, Joan added Anna Bolena to her roles. Her last full opera performance was in 1990. She sang Marguerite de Valois in Les Huguenots in Sydney. She was 63 years old. Her very last public appearance was a gala performance in London. She sang with Luciano Pavarotti and Marilyn Horne.

Joan Sutherland
Joan Sutherland in 1990

After retiring, Joan Sutherland lived a quiet life. She lived at her home in Les Avants, Switzerland.

Death and Legacy

Joan Sutherland passed away peacefully at her home in Switzerland. This was on 10 October 2010, due to health problems. Her family said she had a long life and brought joy to many. She wanted a small, private funeral.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard spoke about her. She called Dame Joan "one of the great opera voices of the 20th century." She also said Joan showed "quintessential Australian values."

Memorial Services

A State Memorial Service was held for her in Sydney. It took place on 9 November 2010, at the Sydney Opera House. Speakers included Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Other services were held in London and New York City.

Her Amazing Voice

Voice Qualities

Joan Sutherland's voice changed over time. At first, it was described as "fresh" and "silvery." Later, it became "golden" and "warm." One critic said it was like "molten honey." Her voice was full and rounded, even on her highest notes.

Voice Category and Range

Joan Sutherland is usually called a dramatic coloratura soprano. This means her voice was both powerful and flexible. It was very rare to have such a big voice that could also sing fast, decorative parts.

Her voice was very large, like that of a top Wagnerian soprano. French soprano Natalie Dessay said Joan had a "huge, huge voice." She could also sing very lightly and quickly.

Sutherland's voice could reach from a low G (G3) to a very high F (F6). Sometimes it even reached F-sharp (F♯6).

Awards and Honours

Joan Sutherland received many awards during her life. In 1961, she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). That same year, she was named Australian of the Year.

In 1975, she became a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). This was a new honour at the time. In 1979, she was made a Dame Commander (DBE).

In 1991, Queen Elizabeth II gave her the Order of Merit (OM). This is a very special honour.

Places Named After Her

Several places are named in her honour. These include Sutherland House at St Catherine's School, Waverley. The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith is also named for her.

In 1991, John Paul College in Australia named its music centre after her. She visited the centre for its opening.

She received the Lifetime Contribution Award in 2001. In 2004, Australia Post honoured her with the Australian Legends Award. Two stamps featuring her were issued. She also received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2004.

In 2012, Joan Sutherland was voted into the first Hall of Fame for Gramophone magazine.

Roles Performed Live

Joan Sutherland performed many complete opera roles live. Here are some of them:

First performance Composer Work Role House Conductor Director Remarks
20 June 1947 Handel Acis and Galatea Galatea Eastwood Masonic Hall, Sydney Concert performance
30 August 1947 Purcell Dido and Aeneas Dido Lyceum Club, Sydney Concert performance
15 July 1950 Handel Samson Dalila and Israelite woman Sydney Town Hall Concert performance; Sutherland made her professional role debut as the Israelite woman on 14 October 1958
9 July 1951 Goossens Judith Judith Sydney Conservatorium of Music Goossens Sutherland's first complete staged opera
16 July 1952 Puccini Il tabarro Giorgetta Parry Theatre, RCM Richard Austin Peter Rice/Pauline Elliot
28 October 1952 Mozart The Magic Flute First lady ROH, Covent Garden Pritchard Messel Sutherland's professional debut
3 November 1952 Verdi Aida High Priestess ROH, Covent Garden Barbirolli Cruddas
8 November 1952 Bellini Norma Clotilde ROH, Covent Garden Gui Barlow
29 December 1952 Verdi Un ballo in maschera Amelia ROH, Covent Garden Pritchard Barlow/Stone Sutherland's first leading role
24 February 1953 Mozart The Marriage of Figaro Countess Almaviva ROH tour, Edinburgh J Gibson Gerard
13 May 1953 Strauss Elektra Overseer ROH, Covent Garden Kleiber Lambert
11 August 1953 Britten Gloriana Lady Rich ROH tour, Bulawayo
19 October 1953 Wagner Die Walküre Helmwige ROH, Covent Garden Stiedry Pemberton
2 November 1953 Bizet Carmen Frasquita ROH, Covent Garden Pritchard Wakhévitch
4 February 1954 Verdi Aida Aida ROH, Covent Garden E Young Cruddas
23 March 1954 Weber Der Freischütz Agathe ROH, Covent Garden Downes Furse
30 April 1954 Piccinni La buona figliuola Lucinda Mackerras BBC radio broadcast
27 May 1954 Wagner Der Ring des Nibelungen Woglinde and Woodbird ROH, Covent Garden Stiedry Hurry Sutherland also sang the role of Helmwige, which she had sung previously; the other dates of the cycle were 2, 8, and 17 June
17 November 1954 Offenbach Les contes d'Hoffmann Antonia ROH, Covent Garden Downes Wakhévitch
27 January 1955 Tippett The Midsummer Marriage Jenifer ROH, Covent Garden Pritchard Hepworth World premiere; Sutherland created the role
28 February 1955 Offenbach Les contes d'Hoffmann Giulietta ROH tour, Glasgow Downes Wakhévitch
19 June 1955 Offenbach Les contes d'Hoffmann Olympia ROH, Covent Garden Downes Wakhévitch
30 September 1955 Weber Euryanthe Euryanthe Stiedry BBC radio broadcast
30 October 1955 Bizet Carmen Micaela ROH, Covent Garden Downes Wakhévitch
11 March 1956 Mozart La clemenza di Tito Vitellia Pritchard BBC radio broadcast
10 November 1956 Mozart The Magic Flute Pamina ROH, Covent Garden J Gibson Messel
28 January 1957 Wagner Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Eva ROH, Covent Garden Kubelík Wakhévitch
19 March 1957 Handel Alcina Alcina St Pancras Town Hall Farncombe [es; fr]
8 June 1957 Verdi Rigoletto Gilda ROH, Covent Garden Downes Gellner
5 July 1957 Mozart Der Schauspieldirektor Mme Hertz Glyndebourne Festival Opera Balkwill Rice
16 August 1957 Scarlatti Mitridate Eupatore Laodice Appia BBC radio broadcast
8 September 1957 Donizetti Emilia di Liverpool Emilia Pritchard BBC radio broadcast
21 December 1957 Verdi Otello Desdemona ROH, Covent Garden Downes Wakhévitch
16 January 1958 Poulenc Dialogues of the Carmelites Mme Lidoine ROH, Covent Garden Kubelík Wakhévitch
24 May 1958 Haydn Applausus Musicus Temperantia Newstone BBC radio broadcast
26 July 1958 Mozart Don Giovanni Donna Anna Vancouver Opera Goldschmidt Maximowna
17 February 1959 Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor Lucia ROH, Covent Garden Serafin Zeffirelli This performance marked the beginning of Sutherland's international career
24 June 1959 Handel Rodelinda Rodelinda Sadler's Wells Theatre Farncombe Pidcock
8 January 1960 Verdi La traviata Violetta Valéry ROH, Covent Garden Santi Fedorovitch
24 May 1960 Bellini I puritani Elvira Glyndebourne Festival Opera Gui Heeley
19 October 1960 Bellini La sonnambula Amina ROH, Covent Garden Serafin Sanjust
21 February 1961 Bellini Beatrice di Tenda Beatrice New York Town Hall Rescigno Concert performance; Sutherland first performed this role on stage on 10 May 1961
4 January 1962 Mozart The Magic Flute The Queen of the Night ROH, Covent Garden Klemperer Eisler
28 May 1962 Meyerbeer Les Huguenots Maguerite de Valois La Scala Gavazzeni Nicola Benois
17 December 1962 Rossini Semiramide Semiramide La Scala Santini
20 June 1963 Handel Giulio Cesare Cleopatra Sadler's Wells Theatre Farncombe Warre
17 October 1963 Bellini Norma Norma Vancouver Opera Bonynge McLance/Mess
9 March 1965 Gounod Faust Marguerite Connecticut Opera Bonynge Rome/Brooks van Horne
2 June 1966 Donizetti La fille du régiment Marie ROH, Covent Garden Bonynge Anni/Escoffier
10 April 1967 Delibes Lakmé Lakmé Seattle Opera Bonynge
21 May 1967 Haydn L'anima del filosofo Euridice Theater an der Wien Bonynge Ludwig
12 November 1971 Donizetti Maria Stuarda Maria Stuarda San Francisco Opera Bonynge Pizzi
26 October 1972 Donizetti Lucrezia Borgia Lucrezia Vancouver Opera Bonynge Varona
14 September 1973 J.Strauss II Die Fledermaus Rosalinde San Francisco Opera Bonynge
23 October 1974 Massenet Esclarmonde Esclarmonde San Francisco Opera Bonynge Montressor
12 September 1975 Verdi Il trovatore Leonora San Francisco Opera Bonynge Hager/Skalicki
22 April 1976 Lehár The Merry Widow Hanna Glavari Vancouver Opera Bonynge Varona
16 July 1977 Puccini Suor Angelica Suor Angelica Sydney Opera House Bonynge Digby
23 September 1977 Massenet Le roi de Lahore Sita Vancouver Opera Bonynge Mariani
4 July 1979 Mozart Idomeneo Elettra Sydney Opera House Bonynge Truscott
2 July 1980 Verdi I masnadieri Amalia Sydney Opera House Bonynge Lees/Stennett
22 May 1983 Cilea Adriana Lecouvreur Adriana San Diego Opera Bonynge O'Hearn/Mess
22 June 1984 Donizetti Anna Bolena Anna Bolena Canadian Opera Company, Toronto Bonynge Pascoe/Stennett
4 October 1985 Thomas Hamlet Ophélie Canadian Opera Company, Toronto Bonynge Shalicki/Digby/Stennett

Recordings

Joan Sutherland made many recordings. These include solo albums and full operas. Many were with her husband, Richard Bonynge.

Solo Albums

  • Operatic Arias (1959)
  • The Art of the Prima Donna (1960)
  • Command Performance (1962)
  • The Age of Bel Canto (1963)
  • Joy to the World (Christmas Album, 1965)
  • The Noël Coward Album (1966)
  • Love Live Forever (1966)
  • Romantic French Arias (1969)
  • Songs My Mother Taught Me (1972)
  • Operatic Duets (with Luciano Pavarotti, 1976)
  • Serate Musicali (1978)
  • Sutherland sings Wagner (1978)
  • Sutherland sings Mozart (1979)
  • Bel Canto Arias (1985)
  • Talking Pictures (1986)
  • Romantic Trios (1987)
  • Rarities and first recordings (1958/59 to 1967/68)

Opera Recordings

Video recordings

  • The Metropolitan Opera Centennial Gala (2009)

See also

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