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Australian singing great Dame Joan Sutherland will be farewelled in a state memorial service at the Sydney Opera House next month, officials said on Thursday.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the November 9 service would be a fitting tribute to the celebrated soprano, who died last week aged 83.
“Dame Joan has a special place in the heart of Australians. It is fitting that we honour such an extraordinary Australian who brought so much joy to her admirers,” Gillard said in a statement.
Sutherland rose from obscure roots in Sydney to become one of opera’s great post-war virtuosos, performing alongside Maria Callas and Luciano Pavarotti and being dubbed “La Stupenda” by Italian audiences.