Remembering Dame Joan Sutherland (1926-2010)

Dame Joan, famously dubbed 'La Stupenda' following a performance of Handel's Alcina, was one of the great sopranos of the twentieth century. Born and brought up in Australia, she quickly became a global superstar; and whilst she became infamous for her rendition of the title role of Donizetti's Lucia de Lammermoor, her Handelian credentials were also exceptional. A 1958 rendition of 'Let the bright Seraphim' from Samson was greeted at the Royal Opera House by a ten-minute standing ovation, and she appears on disc in the title roles of Alcina (with Richard Bonynge), Rodelinda (with Richard Bonynge; and with Charles Farncombe in an English version) and Athalia (with Christopher Hogwood and the AAM), as well in Messiah (with Sir Adrian Boult and the LSO).

The Athalia recording [link to 4.1.41], with Christopher Hogwood and the AAM, took place in 1985 when Dame Joan was 59. She quipped with Hogwood that it was a pleasure to be working with period instruments because "I am myself an ancient instrument now". And yet, despite her age, Hogwood recalls the drama of her performance.

The Athalia recording was an extraordinary one, combining three very different upper voices: Sutherland's imperious tone, Emma Kirkby's purity and the youthful treble of Aled Jones. Gramophone commented on the apparent mis-match: "Some readers may identify Dame Joan Sutherland as being somewhat out of her usual environment in this 'early instruments' company. In the event she is a triumphant addition to the artistic whole. Her operatic style and greater use of vibrato do make her stand out, but this serves to underscore her separation from the other Israelites and in this way reinforce the dramatic tension."