Joan Sutherland - The Reluctant Prima Donna

This is the story of the transformation of a young Australian soprano called Joan Sutherland told through her own words and those of her contemporaries.

An undistinguished opera singer for seven years at Covent Garden, the roles of Lucia di Lammermoor and Alcina then launched an international career and earned her the reputation of La Stupenda. Her husband Richard Bonynge’s acute musical insight and imagination steered Sutherland into the vocal stratosphere in which she dominated, the Italian bel canto repertoire. And Franco Zeffirelli turned the awkward, self-conscious singer into a stage star, teaching her to move and act, releasing the passion in her to deliver the extraordinary performances that led to her international fame.

Features thrilling musical moments and spine tingling performances from Sutherland as she displays her breathtaking vocal dexterity in this tribute to her extraordinary talents.