Joan Sutherland
Product ID: 58176317
A revised biography of the soprano Joan Sutherland. The possessor of the voice that has thrilled millions was first trained in her birthplace Sydney, Australia and after struggles and disappointments at the Royal College of Music, London, was dramatically transformed into an outstanding operatic phenomenon. It was the crucial role of Richard Bonynge, Joan Sutherland's husband and a distinguished musician in his own right, that steered her towards the coloratura roles that have made her so famous. Norma Major's book is full of insights into the colourful, competitive world of opera, and the particular exigencies of her subject's voice and personality. She also emphasises the key roles in Joan Sutherland's development, such as Lucia di Lammermoor, whether sung at Covent Garden, the Met, the Sydney Opera House or at one of the numerous other locations where the diva has been acclaimed. Of special interest is the catalogue of performances, which provides a previously unpublished documentary record of Joan Sutherland's career, spanning over thirty years, and the complete discography. Norma Major researched this book with Joan Sutherland's co-operation for ten years, and it is a thorough and revealing record of a truly dazzling singer: Dame Joan Sutherland - La Stupenda. Review: Five Stars - excellent Review: Surprised - Irresistible - So delighted to see a "new" biography endorsed by my heroine (copyright 2013) that I ordered it without blinking! Surprise! It is actually the same book written by Norma Major (wife of Prime Minister John Major) in 1994: an opportunity to present the book in Kindle format with a new cover and "Look Inside" potential. (I did wonder, why the delay in publication, as our beloved Sutherland passed 10/10/10.) The book is much like a scrap book with dates, performances, people, conductors, managers, places, roles, and chronicles of a wondrous career. But I was left thirsting for a bit of yin to balance the yang: conflict, resolution, contrast, balance. Joan may not have been complex, but her husband, Richard, certainly is and without him there would have been no her, at least not as the world came to know her, for he was certainly the wind beneath her wings. The book could have dug so much deeper. And there are the records (or absence thereof): my first passion with the voice of Joan Sutherland, and hence of opera, was listening to a neighbors double record album, "The Art of the Prima Donna." The making of this album, which changed my life and made the Sutherland name a "household word" (in households that opened their doors and their hearts to such beauty), is not even mentioned; although its creation helped to bring the world to her feet: for Ms Sutherland was the most recorded opera singer of the 20th century. Neither are her rare recordings of Puccini and Wagner even mentioned (the most beautiful and pure tone in such "heavy" and demanding roles.) Nevertheless, the book continues to be an exceptional effort in honor of an exceptional woman.
| Best Sellers Rank | #60,737 in Arts & Literature Biographies #129,202 in Music (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 27 Reviews |
N**T
Five Stars
excellent
E**E
Surprised - Irresistible
So delighted to see a "new" biography endorsed by my heroine (copyright 2013) that I ordered it without blinking! Surprise! It is actually the same book written by Norma Major (wife of Prime Minister John Major) in 1994: an opportunity to present the book in Kindle format with a new cover and "Look Inside" potential. (I did wonder, why the delay in publication, as our beloved Sutherland passed 10/10/10.) The book is much like a scrap book with dates, performances, people, conductors, managers, places, roles, and chronicles of a wondrous career. But I was left thirsting for a bit of yin to balance the yang: conflict, resolution, contrast, balance. Joan may not have been complex, but her husband, Richard, certainly is and without him there would have been no her, at least not as the world came to know her, for he was certainly the wind beneath her wings. The book could have dug so much deeper. And there are the records (or absence thereof): my first passion with the voice of Joan Sutherland, and hence of opera, was listening to a neighbors double record album, "The Art of the Prima Donna." The making of this album, which changed my life and made the Sutherland name a "household word" (in households that opened their doors and their hearts to such beauty), is not even mentioned; although its creation helped to bring the world to her feet: for Ms Sutherland was the most recorded opera singer of the 20th century. Neither are her rare recordings of Puccini and Wagner even mentioned (the most beautiful and pure tone in such "heavy" and demanding roles.) Nevertheless, the book continues to be an exceptional effort in honor of an exceptional woman.
C**Y
Re John Sutherland biografy
To much about her career, all her concerts were mentioned. Not much about her personal life dring her career and after
G**Y
I want more
Thank you Mrs Major for this biography. I was enthralled with it from start to finish. Please, please revise the epilogue to include Dame Joan's last years. It would be lovely to know how she spent her post retirement years. I believe I saw a picture of you with Dame Sutherland at Holland Park celebrating Maestro Bonyge's 80th birthday. This was shortly before she passed away. What has taken place I these last years since her death. I have loaded my IPhone with Sutherland.
A**R
Very complete and informative.
A good read for all who love Joan Sutherland.
M**D
La Stupenda in a new light
If you are among the lucky ones who heard and saw Joan Sutherland in concert, recital or in any of her operatic roles you may think you know enough about the "voice of the century" but Norma Major gives new meaning to terms such as "diva," "dedication" and "discipline." Even the most ardent fans of Miss Sutherland will find an entirely new image of the reluctant "star" and come away with a new and more profound appreciation of what it means to devote a lifetime to Art. A most admirable and enlightening biography.
C**N
Excelente biografía
Una biografía escrita desde la admiración y el respeto por la persona, ofreciendo datos y valoraciones críticas que permiten entender en su justa medida la naturaleza extraordinaria de una de las mejores sopranos del siglo XX.
M**H
Great Satisfaction
Arrived in good time, well packaged and the book is of excellent quality-really good value for money.
D**G
A great one is captured here
Provides nice detail
J**L
Sutherland at her best
Wanted the updated version as I had borrowed the original from a friend. Really good, interesting read.
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