5 Things to Know About Joan Sutherland's The Art of the Prima Donna

It was Sutherland’s first major aria recital album. The album showcases the extraordinary vocal agility that made her a leading twentieth-century soprano.

The album features arias from bel canto operas by Bellini, Donizetti, and Rossini. These composers were central to Sutherland’s repertoire and highlight her coloratura technique.

Sutherland worked closely with conductor Richard Bonynge, her husband, on the recording. Bonynge’s expertise in bel canto style shaped the album’s interpretations.

The album was released in 1960, at the peak of Sutherland’s early international fame. It helped cement her reputation as a successor to earlier prima donnas like Maria Callas.

The title refers to the 19th-century term “prima donna,” meaning “first lady” of opera. Sutherland’s performance on this album exemplifies the vocal brilliance and dramatic presence the title implies.