Vale "La Stupenda"

The operatic legend who became known as “La Stupenda”, Dame Joan Sutherland, has died at the age of 83.

She married Richard Bonynge, a fellow Australian who became Sutherland’s coach, in 1954. His knowledge and love for the bel canto repertoire was to be the vehicle through which Sutherland would achieve worldwide fame, most importantly with the title role of Lucia di Lammermoor, a role in which she became an overnight sensation in 1959. 

Alongside the bel canto repertoire, Sutherland was known for roles that included Rosalinde (Die Fledermaus) and Hanna Glawari in The Merry Widow.

Our thoughts are with Richard Bonynge, with whom Josef Weinberger has had a long relationship, and his family at this sad time.