Joan Sutherland - Lucia's "Mad scene"

Joan Sutherland as Lucia (1961) Born in Australia on Nov. 7, 1926, Sutherland made her debut as Purcell's Dido in Sydney in 1947. After winning a competition, she moved to London to study. She auditioned for the Royal Opera at Covent Garden. In the 50s, she sang a variety of roles in works by Mozart, Britten, Verdi, Wagner and others. But Mr. Bonynge, the pianist and vocal coach who became her husband in 1954, convinced her to specialize, developing her upper register and coloratura flexibility and moving her into the neglected bel canto repertoire. That paid off spectacularly in 1959, when she triumphed in "Lucia di Lammermoor" at Covent Garden. Instantly a star, she took her Lucia to Paris, La Scala, and finally to the Met in New York in 1961, where she got a standing ovation lasting 12 minutes after the Mad Scene. The "Mad Scene" from Lucia di Lammermoor O giusto cielo...Il dolce suono...Ardon gl'incensi Truely, truely a remarkable voice!!! They called her "La Stupenda (The Stunning one)"

After a performance of Lucia (1985).jpg

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sutherland1961lucia.jpg

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First Lucia at Covent Garden (Feb 1959).jpg

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