MPR archive: An interview with Joan Sutherland

by Tom Crann, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — Soprano Joan Sutherland, who ruled the opera world for almost 40 years, died Sunday at the age of 83. She left her native Australia for London in 1951, where she worked her way up to become one of the most acclaimed sopranos of our century.

Sutherland retired in 1990, and released her autobiography, "A Prima Donna's Progress," several years later.

Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Crann spoke with Joan Sutherland in February 1998 about her career, her influences, and her favorite operatic role.