Joan Sutherland Quotes

Dame Joan Alston Sutherland was born in Sydney, Australia. She was an Australian opera singer. In December 1952, she sang her first leading role at the Royal Opera House, Amelia in Un ballo in maschera. One of the most remarkable female opera singers of the 20th century, she was dubbed La Stupenda by a La Fenice audience in 1960 after a performance of the title role in Handel's Alcina. She was the first Australian to win a Grammy Award, for Best Classical Performance- Vocal Soloist in 1962. She studied at the Opera School of the Royal College of Music, London. Being an admirer of Kirsten Flagstad in her early career, she trained to be a Wagnerian dramatic soprano. She received many honours, including Commander of the British Empire 1961, Australian of the Year 1961, Order of Australia 1975, Dame of the British Empire 1979, and Order of Merit 1991. She is the author of book, entitled The Autobiography of Joan Sutherland: A Prima Donna's Progress.