Celebrating the life of

Joan Sutherland

7th November, 2026 - 10th October, 2010

Dame Joan Alston Sutherland, OM, DBE, AC was an Australian soprano who departed this life at the age of 83 due to cardiopulmonary failure. She is considered by many to be one of the most remarkable female opera singers of the 20th century. A famous friend once called her the "Voice of the Century." Born 1926, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Sutherland made her concert debut in Sydney, as ... more

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Joan Sutherland performing "Sempre libera" from Verd's La Traviata

Kathy Montilla6 Aug 2014

6 Aug 2014

Kathy Montilla Joan Sutherland was born on the November 7, 1926, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Dame Joan appeared in the master classes held for the 1995 "Cardiff Singer of the World competition"

Kathy Montilla6 Aug 2014

6 Aug 2014

Kathy Montilla In 1997, she published an autobiography, "The Autobiography of Joan Sutherland: A Prima Donna's Progress"

Dame Joan received a "Kennedy Center Honor" for her outstanding achievement throughout her career

Kathy Montilla6 Aug 2014

6 Aug 2014

Kathy Montilla Sutherland married Australian conductor and pianist Richard Bonynge on 16 October 1954

6 Aug 2014

Kathy Montilla She was elevated within the Order of the British Empire from Commander to Dame Commander (DBE) in the New Year's Honours of 1979

She won the Australia's most important competition, the "Sun Aria", now known as the Sydney Eisteddfod McDonald's Operatic Aria

Kathy Montilla6 Aug 2014

Dame Joan passed away at her home at Les Avants in Switzerland of cardiopulmonary failure, she left behind her husband and son

Kathy Montilla6 Aug 2014

6 Aug 2014

Kathy Montilla Joan in her character roles as an operatic singer throughout her career

At the age of 63, Joan Sutherland in her last farewell performance on the operatic stage

Kathy Montilla6 Aug 2014

6 Aug 2014

Kathy Montilla She made her concert debut in Sydney, as Dido in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, in 1947

6 Aug 2014

Kathy Montilla An honorary award has been given to Joan as a Doctor of Music with Chancellor Sir Hermann Black of the University of Sydney

A powerhouse duet from "Norma", Dame Joan and Marilyn bring the house down

Kathy Montilla6 Aug 2014

The quartet from Verdi's "Rigoletto" presenting Sutherland and Pavarotti

Kathy Montilla6 Aug 2014