The Australian High Commission, Australian Music Foundation and Royal Opera House paid tribute to Dame Joan Sutherland yesterday at Westminster Abbey in London. HRH Prince Charles was present as well as a host of artists, musicians and performers, including Yvonne Kenny, Lesley Garrett, Norma and John Major, Elijah Moshinsky, Adrian Collette and Elaine Padmore.Antonio Pappano conducted the ROH Orchestra supported Sydney-born soprano Valda Wilson, a member of the young ensemble at Dresden's Semperoper, sang the Pie Jesu from Fauré's Requiem and the "Alleluia" from Mozart's Exsultate, Jubilate. During the ceremony, former ROH General Director Sir John Tooley gave biographical details of Dame Sutherland's life, husband Richard Bonynge read the second reading and her grandson presented the soprano's honor medals. [Source, Source]
