Experience the unparalleled vocal prowess of Dame Joan Sutherland, one of the most celebrated dramatic coloratura sopranos of the 20th century, with her monumental album "The Voice of the Century." Released in 2006, this two-disc collection spans over two and a half hours and showcases Sutherland's extraordinary range and technical brilliance across a diverse repertoire of opera arias.
From the soaring heights of "Casta Diva" from Norma to the delicate beauty of "Ah! je ris de me voir" from Faust, Sutherland's voice is a beacon of clarity and power. The album features iconic roles and arias that highlight her versatility and mastery, including selections from Roméo et Juliette, La traviata, Lakmé, and Lucia di Lammermoor. Each track is a testament to her ability to convey depth and nuance, making this album a treasure trove for opera enthusiasts and classical music lovers alike.
Dame Joan Sutherland, the first Australian to win a Grammy Award, made history with her extraordinary talent and became a household name. Her collaboration with the Decca Music Group Ltd. on this album ensures a high-quality production that captures the essence of her performances. Whether you are a seasoned opera aficionado or new to the genre, "The Voice of the Century" offers a rich and rewarding listening experience, showcasing the timeless artistry of one of the greatest sopranos of all time.
Roméo et Juliette, CG 9 / Act 1: "Ah, je veux vivre"Charles Gounod, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
La traviata / Act 1: "E strano!...Ah, fors'è lui...Sempre libera"Giuseppe Verdi, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Lakmé / Act 2: "Où va la jeune Indoue" (Bell song)Léo Delibes, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Luisa Miller / Act 2: "Che! e segnar questo mano...Tu puniscimi, o Signore?"Giuseppe Verdi, Dame Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Vasco da Gama: La Marguerite a fermé sa corolle... Ouvre ton coeurGeorges Bizet, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Richard Bonynge
Lucia di Lammermoor / Act 3.: "Oh, giusto cielo!...Il dolce suono"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Coro dell'Accademia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Sir John Pritchard
Lucia di Lammermoor / Act 3.: "Ohimè! sorge il tremendo fantasma...Ardon gl'incensi"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Rinaldo Pelizzoni, Cesare Siepi, Coro dell'Accademia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Sir John Pritchard
Lucia di Lammermoor / Act 3: "Spargi d'amore pianto"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Robert Merrill, Cesare Siepi, Coro dell'Accademia Nazionale Di Santa Cecilia, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Sir John Pritchard
Norma / Act 1: Sediziose voci...Casta DivaVincenzo Bellini, Dame Joan Sutherland, Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Les contes d'Hoffmann / Act 2: Les oiseaux dans la charmilleJacques Offenbach, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Richard Bonynge
I Puritani / Act 2: "O rendetemi la speme...Qui la voce...Vien, diletto"Vincenzo Bellini, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Der Opernball: Im chambre separéeRichard Heuberger, Dame Joan Sutherland, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Casanova: Nuns' ChorusJohann Strauss II, Dame Joan Sutherland, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Le Cid / Act 3: "De cet affreux combat...Pleurez, mes yeux"Jules Massenet, Dame Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
La Sonnambula / Act 2: Ah! non giunge uman pensieroVincenzo Bellini, Dame Joan Sutherland, Coro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Richard Bonynge
Faust, CG 4 / Act 3: "O Dieu! que de bijoux...Ah! je ris de me voir"Charles Gounod, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Semiramide / Act 1: Bel raggio lusinghierGioachino Rossini, Dame Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Semiramide / Act 1: Dolce pensieroGioachino Rossini, Dame Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Beatrice di Tenda / Act 2: "Eccomi pronta...Deh, se un' urna"Vincenzo Bellini, Dame Joan Sutherland, Ambrosian Singers, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
La fille du régiment / Act 2: Pour ce contrat fatal...Salut à la FranceGaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Richard Bonynge
Rigoletto / Act 1: "E il sol dell'anima"Giuseppe Verdi, Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Rigoletto / Act 1: "Gualtier Maldè...Caro nome"Giuseppe Verdi, Dame Joan Sutherland, Ricardo Cassinelli, John Gibbs, Christian Du Plessis, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Eva / Act 1: War es auch nichts als ein TraumFranz Lehár, Dame Joan Sutherland, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Pacific 1860: This is a Changing WorldNoel Coward, Dame Joan Sutherland, Chorus, Decca Studio Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
L'elisir d'amore / Act 1: "Chiedi all'aura lusinghiera"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, English Chamber Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Turandot / Act 2: "In questa reggia"Giacomo Puccini, Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
Maria Stuarda / Act 2: "Da tutti abbandonata"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Richard Bonynge
Lucrezia Borgia / Act 2: Era desso il figlio mioGaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, The London Opera Chorus, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Rosmonda d'Inghilterra: "Ancor non giunse...Perchè non ho dei vento...Torna, torna, o caro oggetto"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Sir John Pritchard
Dame Joan Sutherland, the Australian dramatic coloratura soprano, captivated audiences worldwide with her extraordinary vocal prowess and her pivotal role in reviving the bel canto repertoire. Born in Sydney in 1926, Sutherland's career spanned over five decades, earning her the nickname "La Stupenda" for her breathtaking performances. She made her debut in Sydney in 1951 and quickly rose to international fame, gracing stages at Glyndebourne and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Sutherland's repertoire was vast, but she was particularly renowned for her interpretations of roles in operas by Donizetti and Bellini. Her crystal-clear diction and stunning vocal agility made her a favorite among opera enthusiasts. Sutherland's legacy endures through her recordings, which continue to inspire and delight fans of classical music.