Gaetano Donizetti, Jules Massenet, Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Bonynge, Joan Sutherland - La Stupenda ~ The Supreme Voice of Joan Sutherland

La Stupenda

She wasn't called La Stupenda by the Italians for nothing. Now retired, a truly great voice. I don't think I shall hear anything like her again. Worth every penny. Magnificent recording. December 29, 2007

La Stupenda at her best

This 2 CD set is entitled "La Stupenda," which creates extremely high expectations. Joan Sutherland meets those expectations on this CD; she is, indeed, "La Stupenda." One of the interesting aspects of this set is Dame Joan's singing some non operatic works (such as "Home Sweet Home" or "Where Are the Songs We Sung?" or "Falling in Love with Love"). In the end, this is a wonderful compilation of the art of Joan Sutherland.

First, let's consider a sampling of the cuts on these CDs.

"O Zittre Nicht" is from Mozart's "Magic Flute" and it is a challenge to sopranos, with its series of staccato high notes. Sutherland essays this well. There are some nice trills; she hits the high notes well. The series of (treacherous) high notes toward the end is handled very nicely by Sutherland. In short, she scintillates, with a closing high note well hit.

From Donizetti's "Linda di Chamounix," she sings "O luce di questi'anima." Her voice and technique are well suited for Donizetti (and Bellini). The cantabile is smoothly sung. The cabaletta is rollicking. Her coloratura technique is on target; the ornamentation is compelling. There are trills, runs, high notes and other ornamentation well done. The close is nice (although there may be a bit of a scoop on the final high note).

From "Beatrice di Tenda" (by Bellini), we hear ""Eccomi pronta. . .Deh, se un'urna." The cantabile is sung well. She hits notes clearly. The spirited cabaletta follows. Sutherland exhibits somewhat less ornamentation than usual, but trills are well done and, overall, the piece is nicely sung. The close features clean high notes.

"Home Sweet Home." This kind of illustrates Joan Sutherland's work nicely. I can hardly make out the words (and it is sung in English). But it is an interesting version. She sings the song straight, without overpowering the song with operatic technique (an occasional trill actually works out well).

Elsewhere, I have commented on her 1959 version of the "Mad Scene" from "Lucia di Lammermoor" (from her album "The Greatest Hits").

"Falling in Love with Love" is an interesting cut. This is a classic Rodgers and Hart song. Sutherland sings it pretty well, and one can pick up the words cleanly. However, one might compare this with Anna Moffo's version, which is more musical. Sutherland's version is a bit too operatic for what the song is about.

Finally, "Ah non giunge" from Bellini's "La Sonnambula," a great coloratura tune! This is taken at a sprightly pace. Sutherland exhibits good coloratura technique. There is nice ornamentation. She precisely nails high notes. In the repeat, the florid singing ramps up. This is a compelling version, with series of staccato high notes to close the work out.

Thus, this 2 CD set is a welcome entrée to the body of work of Dame Joan Sutherland. Sometimes (as with "Home Sweet Home") one has a hard time picking out the words. But with Sutherland, the skills and techniques create a compelling oeuvre that is well worth attending to.
May 5, 2007

this is the one to buy

I'm not an opera expert I just enjoy it. La Stupenda has the best of Joan Sutherland in a two CD set and it's amazing. She looked like a nice, quiet housewife but an indescribalbe voice. Her aria from Norma gave me chills and her version of "I Dreamed I Dwelt in Marble Halls" is flat out one of the prettiest things I've ever heard. April 18, 2007

La Stupenda lives up to her name

Joan Sutherland was undeniably one of the greatest operatic sopranos of the 20th century. This comprehensive two-CD retrospective of her long career will delight her many fans, and serve as a fitting introduction for those unfamiliar with her artistry. The two CDs span a period of nearly thirty years, from 1959 to 1988, with the majority of the 27 tracks recorded during the 1960s and 1970s, when her voice was at its' astounding best. Sutherland was renowned first and foremost as a dramatic coloratura, and her supple technique is brilliantly illustrated in selections such as the Mad Scene from Lucia di Lammermoor; Doll Song from The Tales of Hoffmann; Queen of the Night aria from The Magic Flute; and the seldom-performed Concerto for Coloratura Soprano by Gliere. As her career progressed, her voice became larger and more powerful, as demonstrated by the Liebestod from Wagner's Tristan and Isolde, and In Questa Reggia from Puccini's Turandot. Lastly, Sutherland was a diva who was not afraid to let her hair down once in a while, and we are treated to lighter selections such as Where are the songs we sung? by Noel Coward, and Falling in love with love, by Rogers and Hart. Highly recommended for all lovers of great singing. November 11, 2006

La Stupenda, Amore, amore, amore

I adore this woman's voice. And I love this cd. I was really happy to find an aria of "Esclarmonde" which is virtually impossible to find as well as some of the more lesser known works of hers such as Mozart's Queen of Night, although I wish she had done a recording of the revenge aria (Der Holle Roche) The whole cd was wonderful to hear but if I had to make on complaint it's that I didn't buy her Isolde's Liebestod but the woman can sing Lucia better than just about anyone so I'll forgive her for not sticking with the Wagner. In fact I am thrilled that she chose Lucia over Isolde because frankly acting and interperation was never her strong suit, it was the pure beauty of her voice. It's always a grand pleasure to listen to Joan kick butt in any coloratura arias but of course she set the bar so high that there is yet a coloratura since her that can do those arias half as well. She has spoiled me for life and that's why she is La Stupenda. January 28, 2006

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