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Dame Joan Sutherland
1926 - 2010
Dame Joan Sutherland
1926 - 2010
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1926
DIED
2010
Joan Sutherland Obituary
Her family said she died Sunday at her home near Geneva after a long illness.
Called "La Stupenda" by her Italian fans, Sutherland was acclaimed from her native Australia to North America and Europe for her wide range of roles. But she was particularly praised for her singing of operas by Handel and 19th-century Italian composers.
Tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who joined with Marilyn Horne in Sutherland's farewell gala recital at Covent Garden on Dec. 31, 1990, called her "the greatest coloratura soprano of all time."
The term, derived from "color," refers to a soprano with a high range and the vocal agility to sing brilliant trills and rapid passages.
Sutherland's skills made her pre- eminent in the revival of Italian "bel canto" operas, and she was seen by many as having taken on the mantle of Callas.
Sutherland started singing as a small child, crouching under the piano and copying her mother, Muriel Alston Sutherland, "a talented singer with a glorious mezzo-soprano voice," according to Sutherland's biographer Norma Major, wife of former British Prime Minister John Major.
"I was able from the age of 3 to imitate her scales and exercises," she wrote in her autobiography. "As she was a mezzo-soprano, I worked very much in the middle area of my voice, learning the scales and arpeggios and even the dreaded trill without thinking about it. The birds could trill, so why not I?
"I even picked up her songs and arias and sang them by ear, later singing duets with her - Manrico to her Azucena. I always had a voice."
When she began performing in Australia, Sutherland thought she was a mezzo-soprano like her mother, and it took the insight o f subsequent coaches to make her realize that she should develop her higher range.
The family statement said Sutherland is survived by her husband, conductor Richard Bonynge, their son, Adam, daughter-in-law Helen, and two grandchildren.
According to the statement Sutherland, who broke both legs during a fall at her home in 2008, requested a very small and private funeral.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press
151 Entries
PhilipMcNeill
March 4, 2025
I was so lucky to hear Joan Sutherland perform 43 years ago at Sydney Opera House and thanks to that wonderful voice I went on to enjoy Opera these past years. I miss you every time I see views of Sydney.
Scott Campbell
December 2, 2019
You so enriched my life. Thank you
Deborah Woodburn
September 18, 2017
I first heard about Dame Joan Sutherland from my paternal grandmother. She was an amateur singer wirh a lovely mezzo soprano voice. How she envied Dame Joan's effortless high notes. I recently stopped teaching and have discovered the glories of Dame Joan's recordings on YouTube. I have revelled in them every day. My only regret is that I never heard a live performance. I will continue to listen to my favourite arias and songs and glory in the marvel that was her voice. Her singing speaks to my heart. Bravissima, La Stupenda, bravissima!
You will always be a treasured wonder in my heart. You have astounded us all for years with your greatness & we in turn have & will love you forever.
Pietro Antoni De Vita
December 13, 2016
How you can show support
October 20, 2012
Rest In Peace
Mark Curtis
July 14, 2012
Bravo Joan! Give the angels a high E from me. I first heard sing Joan when I was just 16. I was blown away by the power, agility and sheer stamina. She has given me and countless others years of enjoyment and wonder on 'how does she do that"! Thank God you were around Joan during the recording era. I'll miss you.
Tony Supple
February 20, 2012
Always remembered. We will never hear the likes of Joan Sutherland again.Thank goodness for the great legacy of recordings she left behind for all to hear. I still have fond memories of Opera Australia's glory days when Joan and Richard sang every year with the company.
Ross Conlan
December 6, 2011
Still missed.
Marc Nicholson
November 22, 2011
Oh, this message is so late. I was traveling at the time in 2010 and did not get until today the news that Dame Sutherland had died...a year ago. But I so treasure Joan Sutherland. For her recordings, yes. But I also had the privilege as a young guy to hear her in concert. She had the most powerful voice I have ever heard; the waves beat against one's face in the auditorium. I also have heard Birgit Nilsson live, and I am truly greatful for her life and what she gave us. But Sutherland's voice was THE most powerful in the 20th century (or any century?) Thankfully, she has the great good fortune of immortality, because her recordings will be heard for centuries to come. That's far better than any mere tombstone.
leanne stevenson
December 29, 2010
always in the light
Gerrit Jan Fonk
December 28, 2010
December 28, 2010
As a Dutch opera-goer, I am so grateful to Joan Sutherland, she was the only great operastar who didn't think she was too great to sing with the Dutch Opera and tour the provinces as well. So, as a young student, I got the chance to hear her as Lucia. I clearly remember all of it, she insisted on wearing her own costumes, so she looked somewhat awkward onstage. But her singing made us forget everything else. I am now 51 and I never heard anyone quite like her, it was Olympic sining indeed, and I feel blessed for having heard it once in my life. In a way I felt sad too, because only then I realised what I had missed in not hearing Callas live on stage. Miss Sutherland's voice physically touched me, it was palpable. Records of her singing cannot nearly match that sensation, however brilliant they may sound. I am sorry to see that very little attention is payed to her demise, at least in the Netherlands. I wonder if this is any better in Brittain or the USA.
So thank you, miss Sutherland for your extraodrinary singing, and for your kindness to appear in the Netherlands.
Gerrit Jan Fonk
November 24, 2010
"What an extraordinary singer we have lost"
An admirer from Chile
lee phillips
November 7, 2010
I'm still so sad....can't quite get over it.She meant so much to me...Have never,in decades of concert and opera-going experienced anything,anywhere to come close to the joyous,profound impact of those 3 Lucia's,1985,in London that I heard from the very top cheap seats as a student.I listen to her cds in the car daily,DVDs in opera,the concert with Pavarotti(last night,weeping)....I'm now sorry I didn't have the courage to meet her back then,to stammer out some thanks and words of praise.Sing with the angels,dear Joan,more gloriously than ever.You will always be loved.Deepest sorrow fro the family and those closest to her....
Dave Marin
November 2, 2010
La Stupenda has left us but her voice, her mesmerizingly beautiful voice, will be with us forever. Thank you Dame Joan.
Carl Erle
October 26, 2010
I think that it would be most appropriate to say a few words about Dame Joan Sutherland - I just finished watching LA STUPENDA the 90 minute doco on Dame Joan's life on ABC TV. She was quite a Lady. Up there with Bradman & Melba, Dame Edna & Paul Hogan as an Aussie Icon.
There's not a lot more to say (it's all there on the internet in the many many bios and obits etc) except for me to recollect some of my fond personal memories.
I certainly remember her warmth and generosity - and how much the audience truly loved her. No one ever got the prolonged standing noisy stamping ovations that she received.
One night at an annual dinner for The Joan Sutherland Society of Sydney we were at "The Interval" restaurant in Kent Street (sadly, no longer there) and I was asked by the Society's then President Arthur Haddad to escort Dame Joan to her table following drinkies & hors d'hoevres upstairs in the function room - the only entrance in and out was a long metal spiral staircase and I clearly remember Joan and I chatting about Gilbert & Sullivan and her telling me how much she adored G&S and operetta in general. She then burst into song (sotto voce - "I am the Captain of the Pinafore and a very good Captain too!") - so I am the only person to be teetering down a spiral staircase trying to get La Stupenda to the bottom safely while being personally serenaded by her singing a BARITONE song for a total audience of just one! God Bless you Joan.
I always remember her sense of humour and zany fun too - I remarked to her how much that I was looking forward to her performances the following season of Donizetti's The Daughter of the Regiment after seeing her in a wonderful performance of her singing Desdemona in Verdi's Otello - she grunted:
"Hmpf! GRANDMOTHER of the Regiment!!!"
That particular "Otello" too, was performed in the Concert Hall in The Sydney Opera House in the days when fully staged operas were performed in that space annually (mainly because it had 1000 extra seats and a better acoustic) and was one of the rare instances of her not being conducted by her husband Richard Bonynge but by the Italian Maestro Carlo Felice Cillario who had conducted those fabulous famous Tosca's at The Royal Opera House Covent Garden many years previously with Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi & Guiseppe Di Stefano. When I asked her "You haven't performed the role of Desdemona in a while have you?" she replied:
"Twenty One years, my dear!" and pulled one of those famous Sutherland grimaces.
So many memories of her great singing live on stage in actual performance. No CD or DVD can ever capture the magic of her live performance - particularly the SIZE of her voice and its clear tone and the thrill that really did send a shiver down your spine and made you want to jump to your feet and cheer when she had finished "doing her bit". She moved so well on stage and had studied hard with Franco Zeferelli & Norman Ayrton in order to fall so well and skip about like a 17 year old.
She often commented after the performance at the stage door where she would be for often over an hour signing autographs and chatting to fans - "The autographs, what do they do with them?" She always seemed genuinely mystified by the affection of innumerable opera fans worldwide.
After she had retired she was at the opera one night as a regular audience member - and as she made her way to her seat the audience applauded. She look around as if to say "Gee, there must be someone famous here - where are they?" Then the penny dropped, she blushed, covered her face with her hands and then turned around and waved to the house for a thunderous ovation.
THAT'S how famous ... and how much she was loved.
Rest in Peace Dame Joan.
Carl ERLE
17 October 2010
Richard Burke
October 25, 2010
Thank you, Dame Joan, for the years of pleasure, and for introducing me to the world of opera. I was blessed to be able to see you in Semiramade in Chicago, and in so many productions thereafter. And meeting you on different occasions proved that you were so gracious and down-to-earth. Your voice may be stilled now, but you live on in the hearts of all who were blessed by your voice and presence.
My deepest sympathy to Richard Bonynge, and son Adam during this time. Thank you Joan for the memories, and your legacy as the world's best.
Richard Burke
Klaus Boehn
October 25, 2010
Thank you,dear Joan,for innumerable days that were brightened by your voice,for many opera nights that became unforgettable ones and for your unbeatable humour and patience shown backstage and during other encounters.
Without you life would definitely have been less beautiful.
May God bless your soul.
In loving memory, Klaus Boehn
Bruce Docherty
October 22, 2010
WOW! BRAVO! I have been enthralled and enriched by listening to Joan's fantastic performances over the years, from "Lucia" and the world of opera, to her movie music CD, and to the best "O Holy Night" (Christmas CD) I have ever heard. WHAT A VOICE, and WHAT A LOSS to the operatic world.
Fabio Gobbo
October 20, 2010
Ciao Dame Joan
Marlene Carter
October 19, 2010
Her voice gave me goosebumps, she was an amazing person. I loved listening to her on the radio as a child. Condolences to the family.
Bill Slater
October 18, 2010
This great singer was most kind and gracious to me for many years.
I cherish her legacy and contribution to opera. She had her own voice and shared it with opera fans everywhere.
She is and was the best we will hear.
God bless you your family.
What a gift and what a lady!!!
Lionel van Zyl
October 18, 2010
Lionel van Zyl
Since I was a young boy I listened to this unique voice. There has never been a voice like hers, and never shall be. So blessed to have heard the best voice the Good Lord placed on the earth. I will come to Montreux and look for your grave
John Redmond
October 18, 2010
I was immensly saddened to hear of her death. I would so much have loved to meet her in person and tell her how wonderful she was. Amazing how one person can touch so many lives both in life and in death. God rest your soul Joan and may He make the grief easy for your family. So many millions are sad on this day ....
October 17, 2010
She had the most exquisite female voice I've ever heard. How fortunate we are to have enjoyed her singing and humble presence for so many years. My sympathy to her family.
S. Warner (San Jose, CA)
Gregory Kelso
October 17, 2010
I was present for the Met "Il Puritani" in 1976, and was my first visit to the Met and New York City. You made my day, Joan! Such a wonderful musical sound: gorgeous...absolutely brilliant.
My prayers and wishes to Richard, Adam and entire family.
Thank you, La Stupenda!
Ross Conlan
October 16, 2010
Thank you! I slept out in London to hear "Lucrezia Borgia". It was a great experience.The audience tossed daffodils - masses of 'em. You stood on that great stage, in the house where you achieved so much; flowers raining down. kissing Alfredo Kraus. And the signs: "We want Joan!" I simply loved you, then, before then and now. At times you said some weird and wonderful things and made me scratch my head! But...such beauty! Thanks. As Rupert Christiansen wrote when you retired, "She made music that changed my life, and I don't know how to thank her for it."
Marco Puente
October 16, 2010
One of the greatest opera singers ever. Her singing was heveanly. My sincere sympathy to her family and friends.
R.E. Morin
October 16, 2010
A true gift to the world, I have never been more moved by anyones voice. My sincere sympathy and blessings to her Family.
M. Cesnik
October 16, 2010
Now that magical voice is silent to us, but I know she is in heaven singing to God's eternal glory! Joan was the standard for me. Never had a chance so see her in an opera, but love her recordings. Viva Joan Sutherland!
Bill Bissell
October 16, 2010
This artist is my most revered example of how human expression of poetry can reach out and embrace other lives. With so much sadness but gratitude for all that Dame Joan Sutherland brought to me and my mother through performances and recordings I offer sincere condolences to her family. Her life and work are great legacies made more meaningful because they came from a very full human heart. Thank you.
Anthony Smith
October 16, 2010
A life that has been well-lived, shared a voice that has been well-sung!! Blessings to all of her Family, Friends, and Fans!!
George kaltezas
October 16, 2010
in the PANTHEON OF SUPERB MASTERS IN OPERA AND THECONSTALLATION OF OF VOCAL STARS YOU WILL SHINE BRILLIANTY FOR CENTURIES TO COME ADIO IL REMEMBER YOU
FOR EVER
G.Kaltezas
Gary Kirkeby
October 15, 2010
You are the standard by which we measure all singers. What a joy to have heard you in live performances.
Gary Gage
October 15, 2010
She will be remembered.
Theodor Schneider
October 15, 2010
Dame Joan Sutherland,for me the most beautiful Voice, also a worm harted, wonderful women sadly died. My thoughts and prayers go to Dame Joan Sutherland's family and friends. I will miss her very much.
Elizabeth Mitchell
October 15, 2010
Oh what a voice!! What class!! As a young student of music I listened to her over and over, TRYING to sing like her but couldn't though I never stopped trying.Rest in peace.
judith lee
October 15, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Wayne Holmes
October 15, 2010
A great example to us all, Dame Joan Sutherland, has sadly died at the age of 83, My thoughts and prayers go out to Dame Joan Sutherland's family and friends at this very hard time.
October 14, 2010
We will miss her beautiful voice. Now we have lost two of the greatest opera singers. Pavarotti and Sutherland they can never be replaced.
Chele
October 14, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
October 14, 2010
I remember hearing this "Diva" on the Ed Sullivan Show many years ago. She was fantastic!
Miss E. Richmond, VA
October 14, 2010
The Queen of song is dead. Long live the Queen in her superlative recordings.
Joe LaRocca
North East (Erie County), PA
Marie Brandes
October 14, 2010
My deepest sympathy to the family. I will always remember Joan for her beautiful voice and for her kindness. I met her when I was 12, and I'll never forget her. Rest in Peace.
Bruno Brunner
October 14, 2010
I was forunate enough to hear Joan Sutherland on many occasions in New York. I had also met her on several occasions. My thoughts go out to her family.
Bruno Brunner
Amy Holdaway
October 14, 2010
I remember listening to her records when I was a child. My dad loved her. He loved good classical music and a beautiful voice. She certainly had a gift. What a beautiful lady. I know she will still be doing beautiful things where she is now. She was truly amazing.
John Hunter
October 13, 2010
Hers was a voice I was in love with before hearing.Thanks to Russell Braddons Autobigraphy. That was 46 years ago in country New South Wales. Opera was hard to come by ther but I managed to get an EP of the Mad Scene from Lucia.
Love at first listen.
It saddens me that the world has lost such a great voice.
Somehow, listening to her recordind won't be quite the same, knowing that she is no longer with us
George Lyons
October 13, 2010
Rest In Peace, Ms. Sutherland
Donna Borrell
October 13, 2010
bless you
October 13, 2010
XO
October 13, 2010
I'm sorry to hear about this. She was a joy to listen to.
Jules Rabalais
October 13, 2010
Another great voice has left us. So many are gone and so few are coming forth. I feel that the last golden age of truly great voices has ended. You brought so much joy to so many that it will leave a void in many lives. Adieu Madam
Lily Nehman
October 13, 2010
Dearest Joan, You are so loved and appreciated by all! I am happy that ai was at the "Met" for many of your stunnung performances!
Thank you!
Randy Dary
October 13, 2010
She even touched young music students in a small, remote Oregon town when they watched videos of her in programs she recorded called "Who's Afraid of Opera." The world already has missed her great voice and marvelous presence. If there is opera in heaven, it is now more glorious with her in the lead roles.
Michaels
October 13, 2010
To the Sutherland family, I would like to express my condolences to you. It's hard to loss someone you love. But God through his son Jesus is going to bring back our die love ones. So remember the great moments you shared together.
October 13, 2010
Pavarotti said she has "the greatest voice of the century" there is nothing more to say.
Sleep well.
Gianfranco
October 13, 2010
Non ho parole, cara JOAN, per esprimere i sentimenti di ringraziamento per tutto quello che hai portato nella mia vita. Dal Concerto di Asolo 1979, alla Lucrezia Borgia di Roma, Lucia di Lammermoor con Bergonzi nel 1985 a Londra, e ancora Concerti a Venezia, Genova, Traviata ancora a Genova... Gianfranco
Edward Gallagher
October 13, 2010
From the first hearing of your voice in a 1961 broadcast of "Lucia" at the Met I have been enthralled with your voice. You have provided me with unmeasurable pleasure in the preceding 60 years.
"O Divine Redeemer" is the first song I play at the Christmas season.
Vechnaya Pamyat! Memory Eternal.
John Dixon
October 13, 2010
Our deepest sympathies to the family. What a trill!
What a thrill! You will be greatly missed in this world -- not
too many GREAT singers left. With deepest respect,
The John Dixon Family
Evans City, PA 16033-9315 USA
October 13, 2010
Dame Joan Sutherland; the best singer ever. She inspired both my husband and myself and we grew to love opera because of her. I always felt so comfortable when Dame Sutherland sang, never fearing she will make a blip or a mistake. She was the best and we shall miss her very much. Laura and James Dean,Bradenton,Florida
John D. D
October 13, 2010
Great Australians leave an everlasting legacy for so many others to follow, in a world which is so often without achievement so mediocre, that they become the identity which forms the backbone of the country, and by which other countries form their own perspectives and goals.
Micheal L. Nesbitt
October 13, 2010
My Condolences to the Family...
Micheal L. Nesbitt
Burbank,CA.
David D
October 13, 2010
What a great woman. She gave so much joy and happiness to so many. She will be remembered for a very long time to come.
Joan Kennaway
October 13, 2010
Such a glorious voice and an inspiration to us. Your voice will live forever thanks to CDs and DVDs.Thank you for sharing your talent and expertise with singers all around the world. God Bless
Opera North
October 12, 2010
On behalf of all the members of Opera North in Whangarei New Zealand thank you for being such a wonderful inspiration. Your unique voice gave such pleasure to so many people all over the world; your artistry and the crystal clarity of your top notes were awe inspiring. Thank you La Stupenda.
Barbara Healy
October 12, 2010
Dame Joan Sutherland was my idol. I heard her sing Norma on tour with the Met in Cleveland and later a recital in Akron. I have never heard anyone come close to her runs, trills and acrobatic upper range. A voice like hers comes once in a millenium
Min
October 12, 2010
Dear Dame Joan Sutherland, you're such an amazing person. I really really love your rendition of "Let the Bright Seraphim" by Handel, your performance of Die Fledermaus, your role in the Merry Widow and all the operas/operettas that you've starred in. Thank you so much for your wonderful music, voice and awesome personality, dear Dame Joan.
God bless you and your family always.
Charles Ransom
October 12, 2010
Even before I was aware of the greatness of Joan Sutherland's voice, I read her biography by Russell Braddon and was impressed by her transparent humanity and decency. That was in my teens, and at the urging of my piano teacher and first voice mentor. Later, with some skill in singing of my own, I came to recognize what an amazing instrument her voice was. A truly historic performer and human being.Charles Ransom, Sarasota, Florida.
LLW
October 12, 2010
My deepest condolences to Dame Joan's family. She had a truly remarkable voice and God-given talent. About 45 years ago I was driving home from work one day, near Christmas, and on the radio I heard the most BEAUTIFUL rendition of "The Holy City." I called the radio station and they told me who it was -- it was Joan Sutherland. That beautiful rendition inspired me for the rest of my life in my singing. Thank you, dear Miss Sutherland. May God bless and comfort your family in their great loss.
October 12, 2010
So many wonderful operas . I am listening to you as I write this. I will treasure my three autographed programs that I waited in freezing winds outside the Palais for you to sign - with a happy laugh and sheer indifference to the weather.
Denise Butler
October 12, 2010
So many wonderful operas . I am listening to you as I write this. I will treasure my three autographed programs that I waited in freezing winds outside the Palais for you to sign - with a happy laugh and sheer indifference to the weather.
Mary Davidson
October 12, 2010
Another beautiful, wonderful voice has been silenced. I loved to hear her sing and have a number of her records. She is now singing in God's heavenly choir with the other great operatic voices. God bless her!
Michael Gluecksmann
October 12, 2010
Goodbye to an unforgetable mentor & generous friend of 45 years. Dame Joan was an inspiration in many ways to my own singing career and it was truly a privelige to know her. I will miss her greatly!Deepest symapathy to Richard and family.
v
October 12, 2010
Truly a blessing to our ears...
Victoria, New York, USA
MMG
October 12, 2010
She leaves a great legancy behind in her music. Many will continue to enjoy her thrilling voice for years to come. May God bless you.
Mike Cala
October 12, 2010
Dear Miss Sutherland - Throughout your career, you delighted countless opera/music lovers with your glowing, radiant voice. It was your singing that brought me to my love of opera. Your star will always shine and you will always be remembered.
Rose Miles
October 12, 2010
It was my great privilege to hear her many times at the Met. Some of my most memorable experiences were listening to that thrilling voice. May she rest in peace.
Judith Twitchell
October 12, 2010
The bird is not silenced. Her trills will linger on to bless future generations, thanks to technology. But her spirit will be sorely missed. <3
R Ciurej
October 12, 2010
The wonderful voice is forever silenced, but will remain in our memories forever.
James Wyrick
October 12, 2010
another magnificent voice has been
taken from the world ... she and Pavarotti made operatic history...she
will shine as a great light on the
world's stage forever...
October 12, 2010
PLAIN AND SIMPLE....HER VOICE WAS UNMATCHED.
Jalisa Darminio
October 12, 2010
Your a beutiful talented women. Rest in peace and may you never be forgtten.
Scott Grunow
October 12, 2010
Her coloratura was a spark of heaven on earth. May perpetual light shine upon her.
DIane C Spitz
October 12, 2010
Ms Sutherland will be truly missed by all who ever had the opportunity to hear her perform. She was an inspiration to me; even as a youngster when I was contemplating a career in music. Thank you for all the joy you brought to so many all around the globe. God bless.
Diane C Spitz
Liverpool, NY
Carl Pflanzer
October 12, 2010
Her voice was sooooo high that my champaigne glass broke! RIP Dame Sutherland!
Thomas Dahlén
October 12, 2010
Dear Dame Joan,thank you for wonderful performances of Lucia,Puritani,Norma,Lucrezia Borgia and Anna Bolena.It is so sad when beloved artists leave us.
October 12, 2010
as a college student i lived as a nanny with a doctor and his family. He would
play the songs of scotland- i hope that your hearing that music now. It was one of my best experiences and educations.
October 12, 2010
"May the God of comfort, who comfort us in all our trials bring you comfort at this time."(2Cor.1:3,4)
Constance Fletcher
October 12, 2010
As a child I grew up listening to you. What a true inspiration. I later went on to study vocal music. I performed, and later became a teacher. What a great gift God gave to all of us who listened to you.
Bill Anderson
October 12, 2010
Beyond her immense talent, I mourn the loss of her great sense of humor. I can still chuckle at Beverly Sills and her at a singers round table with Milton Cross. Only Dame Joan would recount going out for a beer between her appearance in a first act and reappearance in a latter act of a particular opera. And yes I had the vision of her walking down to a nearby bar wearing a breastplate and horned helmet.
Larry Mitchell
October 12, 2010
Joan Sutherland's voice market an era in opera, and the loss of this magnificent woman is almost too much to bear, in view of all the great artists who have passed from the scene.
Dame Joan, along with Maria Callas, leads the great GoldenAge of Opera in the 1960's and 1970's. Joan Sutherland's career was classy, dignified, and first-class. She will be loved forever and heard forever by legions of fans and by those who have yet to discover her in the next generations.
October 12, 2010
Death cannot silence that great voice. When she is resurrected to life on a paradise earth, she will continue to give pleasure to all the meek who will inherit the earth
Helen P.
SH
October 12, 2010
Farewell Dame Joan, the greatest and most gracious of all Australian performing artists.
Norma Randall
October 12, 2010
A wonderful ambassador of opera, gone to sing with the angels. Rest in peace, Joan
Phillip Borge
October 12, 2010
I have been listening to recording of Joan Sutherland since as far back as i can remember, she has always amazed with the her agility and power in the that great voice of hers. Listening to Joan inspired me to pursue my own carreer in singing. "Joan you have given pleasure to so many with you fabulous Gift! God will surely be glad to have you back with him, Thank you for your hours after hours of pleasure and enjoyment, I will continue to enjoy you forever. Thank you. Rest in Peace". XX (Phillip Borge, Gibraltar)
brigid stenberg
October 12, 2010
the voice that brought opera alive.we were so blessed to have had the opportunity to hear and see this great diva.our everlasting thanks for a wonderful chance to actually understand beautiful music.
the Stenberg family (late of Auckland N)ew Zealand
Lois Woodward
October 12, 2010
A wonderful voice and a great entertainer
Rev. Michael Carroll
October 12, 2010
With Dame Joan's passing, I am sure Heaven sounds more beautiful than it ever has. What joy she gave all of us who love opera. May she rest in peace, I shall pray for her every time I listen to one of my recordings of her glorious voice.
Jeanne Stratford
October 12, 2010
Some years ago our elder son, then about 10, was in the cast of talented youth that was given the task of devising their own performance entitled 'The Winds of Solstice', using the set of 'Aida' at Sydney Opera House. They gave only the one performance. Guess who was in the audience? Dame Joan. She seems always to have found time to lend encouragement to others. Bless her memory.
Ada & John Dixon
October 12, 2010
Good bye to the beautiful lady that gave me so much pleasure to hear her voice.
Finally at peace with a chorus of angels to keep her company in heavens.
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You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
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Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
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How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
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