A right royal farewell to make La Stupenda proud
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday February 16, 2011
LONDON: The soaring, haunting sound of the "most glorious, most beautiful voice to be heard anywhere in the world" was to fill Westminster Abbey yesterday as Europe's arts luminaries and British royalty farewelled Joan Sutherland.Close to 2000 people were to pack into Britain's imposing and ancient coronation church, braving grey skies and drizzle, to pay tribute to the soprano described by Richard Tooley, a former head of the Royal Opera House in London as a "superlative singer" and "down-to-earth Australian".Sir Richard was to be joined by Prince Charles and a host of artists, musicians and performers, including singers Yvonne Kenny and Lesley Garrett, Norma Major, Sutherland's friend and biographer, and her husband, the former British prime minister John Major.Elaine Padmore, the director of opera at the Royal Opera, was to be there as was Adrian Collette, representing Opera Australia, and Elijah Moshinsky, the Australian conductor and opera director.Speaking before the service, Dame Joan's widower, the conductor Richard Bonynge, said his wife would have been "enormously proud" that her life and musical gifts were to be celebrated by so many at Westminster Abbey.He said the service would be a teary occasion for many as Sutherland's legendary voice filled the abbey: "It will ring around fantastically," he said. "I have to read some verses from the Bible. I'm not terribly happy about that as I am better at other things than reading. But many will be singing ... [Australian] Valda Wilson will be singing Pie Jesu from Faure's Messe de Requiem."Joan will be heard singing Seraphim [from Handel's Samson], one of her favourites, and Norma ... oh, she loved playing [Bellini's] Norma. One is terribly aware that this is such a great honour ... to have this wonderful ceremony in the abbey. She would have been so proud. She loved being part of the musical life of London - to have so many people here who loved her and vice versa."His grandson was to walk up the abbey with Joan's awards, which would be sewn on to a cushion and blessed by the dean."This is all wonderful - a fantastic occasion and she would have loved it. So many memories and so many who loved her even without seeing her on stage and of course so many that saw her perform."It's the first time in more than 30 years that an Australian has been remembered with a service in Westminster Abbey.Dame Joan was dubbed "La Stupenda" by the Italians after performing in Venice, and described by Luciano Pavarotti as "the greatest voice of the century".
© 2011 Sydney Morning Herald