Joan Sutherland

| image = Dame Joan Sutherland, by Allan Warren.jpg | caption = Sutherland in 1975 | birth_name = Joan Alston Sutherland | birth_date = | birth_place = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | death_date = | death_place = Les Avants, Vaud, Switzerland | occupation = Opera singer | years_active = 1947–1990 | module = | alma_mater = Royal College of Music | spouse = | children = 1 }} }}

Dame Joan Alston Sutherland, (7 November 1926 – 10 October 2010) was an Australian dramatic coloratura soprano known for her contribution to the renaissance of the bel canto repertoire from the late 1950s through to the 1980s.

She possessed a voice combining agility, accurate intonation, pinpoint staccatos, a trill and a strong upper register, although music critics complained about her poor diction.

Sutherland was the first Australian to win a Grammy Award, for the year 1961 Best Classical Performance – Vocal Soloist (with or without orchestra) presented in 1962.

She was known as 'La Stupenda' and is widely regarded as one of the greatest sopranos of all time. Provided by Wikipedia