Artist Spotlight: Dame Joan Sutherland

Joan Sutherland was born in 1926 in Sydney, Australia.

Sutherland began her vocal training with her mother who was a mezzo. When Sutherland was 25, she went to London to study at the Opera School of the Royal College of Music.

During her early career, Sutherland was training to be a Wagnerian dramatic soprano, following in the steps of Kirsten Flagstad, whom she greatly admired.

In 1954, Sutherland married Australian conductor and pianist, Richard Bonynge (BON-ning) and in 1956, they welcomed their son Adam into the world.

Sutherland sang her first Lucia di Lammermoor at the Royal Opera House in By the time she completed the Mad Scene, she had become a star.

In 1960 she recorded the album The Art of the Prima Donna, which remains one of the most recommended opera albums ever recorded; the double LP set won a Grammy Award in 1961.

Sutherland earned the nickname “La Stupenda” from her adoring fans. Alcina

Sutherland is noted for her contribution to the renaissance of the bel canto repertoire. Her many roles included singing the leading ladies in: Beatrice di TendaBeatrice di Tenda Lucrezia BorgiaLucrezia Borgia Maria StuardaMaria Stuarda NormaNorma I PuritaniI Puritani SemiramideSemiramide La SonnambulaLa Sonnambula Norma

Her most adored role became Marie in Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment because of her perfect coloratura and lively, funny interpretation.

In 1965, Sutherland toured Australia with the Sutherland-Williamson Opera Company. A young tenor named Luciano Pavarotti was also on that tour. The pair played to sold-out houses.

In the late 1970s, Sutherland’s voice started to decline though she was able to maintain a successful career well into the 1980s.

Her last public appearance took place in a gala performance of Die Fledermaus on New Year’s Eve, 1990, at Covent Garden.

In 2004 she received a Kennedy Center Honor for her outstanding achievement throughout her career.