“Stupenda! A Loving Tribute to the Late Dame Joan Sutherland” Is on May 17 at Town Hall in NYC
In the final public program of its 75th anniversary season, the Metropolitan
Opera Guild pays tribute to one of the most celebrated singers of the 20th
century: Dame Joan Sutherland, who died last October at the age of 83.
“Stupenda! A Loving Tribute to Dame Joan Sutherland” will take
place at New York City’s Town Hall on Tuesday, May 17, at 7:30pm. Marilyn
Horne, a legend in her own right and one of Dame Joan’s most cherished
colleagues and friends, will host the all-star celebration. Joining her to
speak will be five other great Met stars: Martina Arroyo, Sherrill Milnes,
James Morris, Samuel Ramey, and Regina Resnik. Richard Bonynge, renowned conductor
and widower of Dame Joan, will be the evening’s special guest, offering
his own reminiscences of his extraordinary wife. The evening will include
the screening of a new video biography of Dame Joan, as well as a generous
sampling of video clips from her greatest performances, many of them rare
selections from the personal archives of Maestro Bonynge.
The impact of Dame Joan Sutherland on the world of opera can hardly be overestimated. Born in Sydney, Australia on November 7, 1926, Sutherland became a seminal figure in the renaissance of the bel canto repertoire. Her voice possessed remarkable qualities: power, beauty, precision, and agility. Luciano Pavarotti, the soprano’s long-time partner in numerous opera productions, concerts, and recordings, called hers “The Voice of the Century.”
Dame Joan and Richard Bonynge met when they were students, marrying in 1954. Throughout her life, she credited Maestro Bonynge with the establishment of her career, since it was he who persuaded her to eschew Wagnerian and similar repertoire for music that would showcase her dazzling technique and penetrating high notes. With his guidance and support, Sutherland went on to become one of the greatest dramatic coloratura sopranos of this or any era. Maestro Bonynge’s reminiscences of his wife will offer singular insights into an incomparable artistic and personal partnership, adding his unique perspective to what already promises to be an emotionally charged evening.
TICKETS: sold exclusively by the Guild, are available ONLINE and by telephone at (212) 769-7009. Proceeds will benefit the organization’s music education programs.
Regular tickets (program only): $40 to Guild members and Met patrons; $50 to general public; Priority tickets (includes priority seating for the program and admission to an artists’ reception): $150
VISIT: FanFaire's JOAN SUTHERLAND pages / Viewer TRIBUTES TO DAME JOAN
Source: 21C Media Group, April 2011
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