Dame Joan Sutherland, La Stupenda! -- Dies age 83 RIP

UPDATE
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.
Sutherland was acclaimed from her native Australia to North America and Europe for the wide range of roles she took on during a career that spanned four decades.
The family statement says Sutherland is survived by her husband Richard Bonynge and son Adam.
The statement says a small private funeral will be held.

ORIGINAL
Dame Joan Sutherland, by then starring at Covent Garden and just 9 years into her career, proved she had perfected the Bel Canto form with her 1960 performance of Handel's Alcina in Venice Teatro La Fenice. For this she was christened La Stupenda! In this clip she effortlessly hits and holds the high "D" in her encore performance of Let the Bright Seraphim from the oratorio Sampson.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Joan
• Sutherland
• Stupenda
• Handel
• dies
• Richard
• Bonynge
• 83

[danielpavarotti]

Viva La Stupenda!!!

[Sadiesexy]

It would have been wonderful to listen to this rendition of the "Let the Bright" without those people talking.

[enfava]

So long Dame Joan... you made me rejoice the beauty and art of your voice. Now, sing with angels... I will be paying attention... Thanks for your brillant career.

[marcelo161289]

Dame Joan se ha ido a enseñarle a cantar a los angeles. Es imposible contener el llanto. Gracias por haberme dado a mi con mis 20 años la pasión por la opera desde que tengo memoria. Te despido por el momento, porque yo sé que tarde o temprano nos vamos a encontrar en algun lugar. Brava La Stupenda!!!!!!!!!.

[damothepianist]

RIP

It was only by chance that I discovered Dame Joan had died. I saw nothing on any of the news channels. For someone who shaped opera for many years it's a disgrace that it didn't have more prominence.

So, while I have never been lucky enough to see her perform, I have the great Youtube and my own CD collection to remember her by. She lives on.

[classicii4xh]

R.I.P. Dame Joan........while we are sad to have lost such a musical treasure, how lucky we are to have been left with such an incredible musical legacy to cherish. As long as there are people who appreciate and love great singing and artistry - there will ALWAYS be La Stupenda!

[Labienus]

Historic voice unparalleled technique legendary career

I heard her live quite a number of times in at least 8 different roles and concerts

As much as the recordings capture they only hint at the sheer size and quality of the sound and the top notes were huge

if she lacked the deepest level of drama and acting skills it was more than made up in the roles she specialized in by execution bordering on perfection

vocal splendor and technical skill probably only matched by the castrati

[ju1ianb0ndTV]

Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft starlight at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die.

[marioegorga]

Good bye dear friend..You are now free of suffering and pain,,Rest in Peace dearest Joan.

[thesickandthewrong]

Queen of the trills. by far passed Beverly Sills.This colourful and dramatic coloratura could indeed be likened to Louisa Tetrazzine for pure brilliance . Your singing has brought light to a generation, and probably many more.

[GoldenAgeSunshine]

The last true TITAN in the drammatico-coloratura soprano repertoire. She was our contemporary Tetrazzini in her uniquely huge and brilliant instrument, endowed with amazing and sheer beauty and ringing colorn in the higher stratosphere, blessed with the most AMAZING TRILL since the time of Kurz. Dame Joan Sutherland was one of the last true Golden Age singers. Nobody can match her peerless technique. Despite her faulty diction and sometimes sloppy phrasing in Italian, she was LA STUPENDA. RIP

[tigerarmyrule]

Rest In Peace.

Dame Joan. la Stupenda. Incredible.