Dame Joan Sutherland, born in Sydney in 1926, was an Australian soprano known for her contributions to the opera world with her remarkable voice and dramatic presence. Her career, spanning several decades, established her as one of the foremost opera singers of the 20th century, with a special affinity for the bel canto repertoire, which demands exceptional vocal agility and expressive range. Sutherland's rise to international fame began in the 1950s, after her debut in Sydney, leading to her long association with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London, where she became one of the venue's most beloved stars.

Sutherland's discography includes a wide array of operatic roles, from the dramatic depths of Bellini's "Norma" to the intricate melodies of Donizetti and Verdi. Noted for her unparalleled technique and the purity of her tone, she became particularly synonymous with the works of Handel, Bellini, and Donizetti, revitalizing interest in the bel canto style with performances that became benchmarks for these roles. Her collaborations with conductors such as Richard Bonynge, her husband, also played a significant role in her artistic development and success. Sutherland retired from the stage in 1990, leaving behind a legacy celebrated through numerous recordings, awards, and the lasting impact of her artistry on opera aficionados and fellow artists alike. She passed away in 2010, but her recordings—such as "Bellini: Norma (Excerpts)" and "Romantic French Arias"—continue to inspire new generations of opera lovers and singers.

Genres

Classical Soprano

Opera

Related Artists

Luciano Pavarotti

Maria Callas

Kiri Te Kanawa

Renata Tebaldi

Mirella Freni

Leontyne Price

Birgit Nilsson

Marilyn Horne

Plácido Domingo

Renée Fleming

Cecilia Bartoli

Angela Gheorghiu

Latest Release

Bellini: Norma (Excerpts) [Live] [Remastered 2022]

Vincenzo Bellini•

Dame Joan Sutherland•

Richard Bonynge

Album - 10 Tracks - Released January 20, 2023