From the archive,18 February 1959: Joan Sutherland gives an exceptional performance in Donizetti’s Lucia Di Lammermoor at Covent GardenDonizetti’s “Lucia Di Lammermoor,” good clean fun at the lowest evaluation but capable of grand tragic intensity when finely produced as now at Covent Garden, and came back final night to the stage where it was once the greatest of tests for the Melbas and Tetrazzinis,and where it had not been on show since Toti Dal Monte gave a single showing of the old war horse in 1925. It came back as a personal triumph for the Australian soprano Joan Sutherland - a future Melba, some people would be alert to declare, or on the strength of her nearly flawless singing of the grand scene of the third act final night. Related: Dame Joan Sutherland obituary it was Joan Sutherland’s evening and she was acclaimed in all parts of the house and by many notable singers presentContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com