Today marks 192 years since 'La Sonnambula' was premiered in Milan at Teatro Carcano (6 March 1831). Amina was a role that followed Joan from 1960 to 1968. Later, in 1979, she wend to studio to record alongside Pavarotti her second version for Decca.
La Sonnambula was a Bonynge favourite and he says "Joan always performed at a very high level. Occasionally she excelled herself, performing to such perfection that I couldn't believe my ears. The most extraordinary reception Joan ever had was at the 1965 production of La Sonnambula in Melbourne. The ovation lasted three quarters of an hour. They couldn't get rid of the people, it was fantastic."
In this excerpt taken from a concert at Avery Fisher Hall in 1979, Joan sings the last aria "Ah non giunge" and she added - believe or not, nine high Eb's! It's a devilish thing to do, but not for Joan.
