Soprano Joan Sutherland, known as ‘La Stupenda’ and successor to Callas, dies at 83

The Record - AP ^ | 10/11/10

[Borges]

GENEVA - The family of soprano Joan Sutherland says the Australian-born opera singer has died. She was 83.

Sutherland's family released a statement Monday saying the celebrated singer known to her Italian fans as "La Stupenda" died Sunday at her home near Geneva.

[Borges]

Classical Music PING

[BenLurkin]

Joan Sutherland sings TOSCA Vissi d’arte

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Egs5vGOVtc

[Frantzie]

She was a giant in opera. I always love how Italian fans make up nicknames. They know their opera and if you are good - they let you know. If you are bad - they really let you know. Sad - RIP.

[WebFocus]

"La Stupenda" will be sorely missed !!

[JohnLongIsland]

RIP

[ml/nj]

One of the all time greats. I probably heard her perform in a dozen operas and half a dozen recitals. So many great moments. Puritani, Lucia, the recital with Pavarotti (my wife and I in the fifth row, similarly close for) the recital with Horne and Pavarotti, all in NYC. RIP Dame Joan.

ML/NJ

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[Julia H.]

My heroine since childhood. RIP, Dame Joan Sutherland.

[good old days]

Rest in peace.

[onedoug]

Dame Joan, RIP

[andonte]

One of the greats! Maybe the last of the greats.

No temper tantrums, no theatrics, no foolishness, just years and years of professional behavior and fabulous singing.

I cut my opera teeth on Dame Joan as Violetta in “La Traviata.” What a thrill.

I hope she passed away peacefully. Gob bless you, Joan.

[left that other site]

She could sing notes other singers didn’t know even existed!
RIP to one of the GREATS!

[andonte]

Oops! That should say “God bless you, Joan.”

[razorback-bert]

I last heard and saw her in “Norma” in Houston.

[SES1066]

She was a Diva who was not a Diva-in-behavior by all reports that I know. The thing about people like this is that they have made the world a better place for and by their skill and talent and that is the best one can ask for.

R.I.P. Dame Joan!

[keepitreal]

Oh, no. Loved Dame Joan. First Sills, now Sutherland - all the wonderful coloraturas are gone.

[tal hajus]

IMHO the BEST coloratura ever. LOVED the mad scene from “Lucia de Lammeramor. She HAD it.

[etabeta]

She was a great singer with the ups and downs of any artist. She was also very instrumental in progressing the career of her conductor husband Richard Bonynge. If I remember correctly, she would refuse to sing if he was not hired as her conductor.

Never a scandal, just hard work and dedication to her art.
I admired her singing and the status she achieved but for me her vibrato since the ‘70s was annoying. The earlier recordings were great even if critics complained about her mushy diction.

RIP, Dame Joan Sutherland.

[WebFocus]

Do you prefer Dame Joan Sutherland or Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, both from Down Under?