Dame Joan Sutherland OM, AC, DBE (7 November 1926-10 October 2010) is an Australian dramatic coloratura soprano noted for her contribution to the bel canto revival of the 1950s and 1960s. She was hailed La Stupenda after an Alcina performance in La Fenice in 1960. Joan Sutherland was born in Sydney. Her mother was a mezzo soprano who had given up her career. She learned a lot from her mother, with whom she used to sing and listen to many recordings.