Immerse yourself in the extraordinary vocal prowess of Dame Joan Sutherland, affectionately known as "La Stupenda," with this remarkable compilation album. Released on January 1, 2001, under the Decca Music Group Ltd. label, this collection showcases Sutherland's unparalleled talent in the realms of opera and classical music. Spanning a generous 2 hours and 32 minutes, the album is a testament to her versatility and mastery of her craft.
The tracklist is a journey through some of the most celebrated operas and compositions in the classical canon. From the hauntingly beautiful "Casta Diva" from Bellini's "Norma" to the dramatic intensity of "Isoldes Liebestod" from Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde," Sutherland's voice shines with brilliance and emotional depth. The album also features lesser-known gems like "Esclarmonde" and "Beatrice di Tenda," demonstrating Sutherland's ability to breathe life into a wide range of roles.
In addition to her operatic performances, the album includes a concerto for coloratura and orchestra, showcasing Sutherland's technical skill and musicality. The inclusion of popular arias like "I Dreamt I Dwelt In Marble Halls" from "The Bohemian Girl" and "O mio babbino caro" from "Gianni Schicchi" offers a delightful mix of the familiar and the obscure.
Dame Joan Sutherland's career spanned over four decades, and this album captures the essence of her extraordinary talent. Whether you are a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this collection offers a rich and rewarding listening experience. Prepare to be captivated by the golden voice of one of the most celebrated sopranos of all time.
Attila / Prologue: Santo di patria..allor che i forti corronoGiuseppe Verdi, Dame Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Lakmé / Act 1: Viens, Mallika, ... Dôme épaisLéo Delibes, Dame Joan Sutherland, Jane Berbié, Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Les contes d'Hoffmann / Act 2: Les oiseaux dans la charmilleJacques Offenbach, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Richard Bonynge
Die Zauberflöte, K.620 / Act 1: "O zittre nicht"Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Dame Joan Sutherland, The New Symphony Orchestra Of London, Richard Bonynge
Linda di Chamounix / Act 1: "Ah! tardai troppo... O luce di quest'anima"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Orchestre De La Société Des Concerts Du Conservatoire, Nello Santi
Semiramide / Act 1: "Serbami ognor"Gioachino Rossini, Dame Joan Sutherland, Marilyn Horne, 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
La traviata / Act 1: "Un dì felice, eterea"Giuseppe Verdi, Dame Joan Sutherland, Carlo Bergonzi, Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Sir John Pritchard
The Bohemian Girl / Act 2: "I Dreamt I Dwelt In Marble Halls"Michael William Balfe, Dame Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Home Sweet HomeHenry Rowley Bishop, Dame Joan Sutherland, Tina Bonifacio, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Casanova: Nuns' ChorusJohann Strauss II, Dame Joan Sutherland, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Lucia di Lammermoor / Act 3: "O giusto cielo...Il dolce suono...Ardon gl'incensi"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Opera Chorus Of Paris, Orchestre De La Société Des Concerts Du Conservatoire, Nello Santi
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
Alcina / Act 1: "Tornami a vagheggiar"George Frideric Handel, Dame Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Concerto for Coloratura and Orchestra, Op. 82: 1. AndanteReinhold Glière, Dame Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Concerto for Coloratura and Orchestra, Op. 82: 2. AllegroReinhold Glière, Dame Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Lucia di Lammermoor / Act 1: "Sulla tomba che rinserra...Verranno a te sull'aure"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 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
Esclarmonde/ Act 1: Esprits de l'air!...Roland! Roland! Roland!Jules Massenet, Dame Joan Sutherland, Huguette Tourangeau, John Alldis Choir, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Operette: Where Are The Songs We Sang?Noel Coward, Dame Joan Sutherland, Decca Studio Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Falling In Love With Love ("The Boys from Syracuse")Richard Rodgers, Dame Joan Sutherland, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
I Puritani / Act 1: Son vergin vezzosaVincenzo Bellini, Dame Joan Sutherland, Margreta Elkins, Pierre Duval, Giovanni Foiani, Ezio Flagello, Coro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Richard Bonynge
Turandot / Act 2: "In questa reggia"Giacomo Puccini, Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
Tristan und Isolde, WWV 90 / Act 3: "Mild und leise wie er lächelt" (Isoldes Liebestod)Richard Wagner, Dame Joan Sutherland, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
Adriana Lecouvreur / Act 4: Poveri fiori, gemme de'pratiFrancesco Cilea, Dame Joan Sutherland, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Richard Bonynge
La Sonnambula / Act 2: Ah! non giunge uman pensieroVincenzo Bellini, Dame Joan Sutherland, The London Opera Chorus, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge