Dame Joan Sutherland On 2 October 1990, opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland announced her retirement. She was an Australian dramatic coloratura soprano known for her contribution to the renaissance of the bel canto repertoire from the late 1950s through to the 1980s. She possessed a voice combining extraordinary agility, accurate intonation, "supremely" pinpoint staccatos, a trill and a tremendous upper register, although music … Continue reading On this day (Australia): In 1990, opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland announced her retirement