Joan Sutherland
| Born | November 7, 1926 |
| Hometown | Sydney, Australia |
| Height | 5'9" (1.75m) |
| Spouse | Richard Bonynge |
| Parents | Julianne McClure, Hugh Reskymer Bonython |
Top Stories
Renata Scotto obituary
- Dramatically intense soprano with a scintillating if hard-edged tone who relished the role of a diva both on and off stage
MOVIES & TV SHOWS
- EntertainmentThe Guardian
Gordi fills an empty Sydney Opera House with her magnetic presence and expansive songs
Gordi fills an empty Sydney Opera House with her magnetic presence and expansive songsJoan Sutherland theatre, Sydney Opera House The ascendant musician channels the feeling of being isolated in a cavernous space in her livestreamed album launch
- EntertainmentThe Telegraph
Mady Mesplé, French opera singer who thrilled audiences with her cool elegance – obituary
Mady Mesplé, who has died aged 89, was a French soprano best known for her exhilarating interpretation in the title role of Delibes’s opera Lakmé; although hers was not a large voice, it was a light, silvery and attractive one and she thrilled audiences with her stylish interpretation, cool elegance and high-spirited performances. Lakmé has long been a popular work with the French, and in the mid-20th century Mado Robin was regarded as its pre-eminent interpreter. Robin died in 1960 on the eve o
- CelebrityThe Telegraph
Gabriel Bacquier, French baritone and star of Covent Garden and Glyndebourne – obituary
Gabriel Bacquier, who has died aged 95, was a French baritone who enjoyed a substantial career in English-speaking countries; he made several appearances at Covent Garden, was a virile Count Almaviva in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro at Glyndebourne in 1962, and took part in a gala concert at the Royal Opera House in 1977 to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Bacquier was as much an actor as a singer, and articulation and technique were key to his success. He had a commanding presence on the conc
- EntertainmentThe Telegraph
Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor: the masterpiece saved from obscurity by Maria Callas
Lucia di Lammermoor, Gaetano Donizetti A great favourite of Victorian audiences until the rising tide of Wagnerism left it seeming quaint, this beautiful opera sank into disrepute until the 1950s, when high-profile productions starring sopranos Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland and Beverly Sills led to a broader revival of interest in Donizetti’s output. Plot On the Scottish borders in the late 17th century, the once-prosperous Ashton clan is facing ruin. Ruthless Enrico (Lord Henry Ashton) decides
- EntertainmentThe Guardian
Royal College of Music transforms ‘forbidding’ HQ in £40m upgrade
Royal College of Music transforms ‘forbidding’ HQ in £40m upgradeNew look will showcase stars, students – and a collection that includes world’s oldest guitar and an original Mozart score
- LifestyleThe Guardian
Mirella Freni obituary
Mirella Freni obituaryOutstanding soprano in the great Italian operatic tradition
- EntertainmentThe Independent
Franco Zeffirelli: Film and opera director who revelled in the lavish and theatrical
Franco Zeffirelli, who described his style as “lavish in scale and unashamedly theatrical”, was one of the most influential, flamboyant and controversial designer-directors of the 20th century. His Florentine background and love of the Renaissance permeated his diverse work, which encompassed theatre, cinema and his greatest love, opera.Initially an actor, then designer of sets and costumes, Zeffirelli – who has died aged 96 – confounded his mentor and lover Luchino Visconti by successfully beco
- LifestyleBusiness Insider UK
Detroit opera, fine arts champion David DiChiera dies at 83
DETROIT (AP) — Musician David DiChiera (DEE'-kee-AIR-uh), who championed opera's role in reviving downtown Detroit and directed several opera organizations nationwide, has died of pancreatic cancer. He was 83.
- NewsEvening Standard
Semiramide review: Stupendous singer triumphs in baffling modern Babylon
Rossini's last Italian opera, Semiramide, has over the years served as a vehicle for such divas as Joan Sutherland (La Stupenda), June Anderson and Montserrat Caballé. Nobody else is quite in the same class, though Lawrence Brownlee, with his superbly flexible high tenor, comes close as Idreno. Daniela Barcellona is a very impressive Arsace and Mirco Palazzi, who took over the role of Assur mid-performance — he was scheduled later in the run — from an indisposed Michele Pertusi, excelled himse
