LONDON - Australian opera star Joan Sutherland, known as “La Stupenda”, has died aged 83.
Her family was quoted by the Sydney Morning Heraldas saying the soprano died peacefully in the early hours of Sunday morning after suffering a long illness.
“She’s a very important person all over the world, but for us this is our family and we’re just trying to come to terms with this,” her daughter-in-law Helen was quoted by the newspaper as saying.
Reports said Sutherland died in Switzerland. The singer made her stage debut in 1951 and went on to perform at many of the world’s great opera houses.
Her last stage appearance was alongside Luciano Pavarotti in Die Fledermausat The Royal Opera House, London, on December 31st, 1989. Pavarotti once said of her: "Joan Sutherland is certainly the greatest voice of the century."
After her retirement she remained active in nurturing young singers, and became a regular fixture on the jury of singing competitions worldwide.
– (Reuters)