Dame Joan Sutherland

Known worldwide as "La Stupenda," the Australian dramatic coloratura soprano Dame Joan Sutherland (1926 - 2010) possessed what was often referred to as "The Voice of the Century" – shining in tone, massive in size, and gifted with staggering agility. A standard-setter in a large number of bel canto operas, Sutherland was hailed at Lyric in four signature roles – Lucia, Semiramide, Marie (in La fille du régiment), and Anna Bolena.

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Dame Joan Sutherland

Joan Sutherland backstage after a Lucia di Lammermoor performance, 1961.

Joan Sutherland as Lucia.

Photo: David H. Fishman

Joan Sutherland (Semiramide) and Marilyn Horne (Arsace) in Semiramide, 1971.

Photo: David H. Fishman

Dame Joan Sutherland (Marie) and Spiro Malas (Sulpice) in La fille du regiment, 1973.

Photo: David H. Fishman

Listen to Roger Pines's tribute to Dame Joan Sutherland

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Dame Joan Sutherland's roles at Lyric

Main photo: Joan Sutherland  as Lucia. Photo by David H. Fishman.
Audio photo: Dame Joan Sutherland as Anna Bolena, 1985. Photo by Tony Romano.