Joan Sutherland

Dame Joan Sutherland, OM, AC, DBE is a great Australian opera singer noted for her contribution to the bel canto revival of the 1950s and 1960s.

Vocal description

Sutherland is one of the best examples of dramatic coloratura soprano. She had a very big and rounded voice even in the highest notes. Her middle range was always creamy and rich, though some criticize about her sometimes cloudy middle notes. As for her low range, she could reach deep mezzo notes, but her low notes never had the volume and spontaneity of Maria Callas or Leyla Gencer. On the other hand, her high notes were unsurpassed. She could hit a large and brilliant high E without any strain even in her late career and sing a long and high coloratura line in full voice. She was also noted for her perfect legato and great Pie.

Related Topics:
Dramatic - Coloratura - Soprano - Maria Callas - Leyla Gencer - Legato

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Until 1962 or so, her voice was silvery and girlish. Then she had to change her technique because of health problems and she got a creamier, darker and firmer voice. During her decline in the 1980s, her voice tended to have a wobble and a cloudy middle range, but many times she overcame these faults by using her superb technique.

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