Opera star Joan Sutherland dies

Australian opera star Joan Sutherland, known by her legion of fans as 'La Stupenda', has died aged 83, her record label Decca said on Monday.  

Her family was quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald as saying the soprano died peacefully in the early hours of Sunday morning after suffering a long illness.     

"She's a very important person all over the world, but for us this is our family and we're just trying to come to terms with this," her daughter-in-law Helen was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

Reports said she died in Switzerland.   

The singer made her stage debut in 1951 and went on to perform at many of the world's great opera houses during an illustrious 40-year career.   

Her last ever stage appearance was alongside Luciano Pavarotti in "Die Fledermaus" at The Royal Opera House, London, on December 31, 1989. 

Pavarotti once said of her: "Joan Sutherland is certainly the greatest voice of the century."

After her retirement from the stage she remained active in nurturing young singers, and became a regular fixture on the jury of singing competitions worldwide.