One of my teachers in high school was an opera fanatic. He travelled extensively
in order to hear his favorite singers, and was the proud owner of a large collection of opera recordings. He was especially enamoured with Joan Sutherland; she was practically a deity in his books.
I didn’t quite get it at the time. But when I started singing more seriously,
I certainly did. Her voice. Her high notes. Her strength, her musical and vocal understanding, the extraordinary quality of her performances – which I thank various record companies for letting me experience – was breathtaking.
She left this world yesterday. A world a little more beautiful for her having been a part of it.