Spargi d'amaro pianto

As part of a "Triple Diva Concert" produced by Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House, the Australian soprano, Joan Sutherland - along with American soprano, Leona Mitchell, and English soprano, Rita Hunter - each performed one major scene from an opera in which they were associated. Joan Sutherland's segment comprised of the entire 'Scena della pazzia' (Mad Scene) from Donizetti's LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR - commencing with the jubilant chorus "D'immenso giubilo" through "Oh, giusto cielo!...Il dolce suono" and "S'avanza Enrico" to the final cabaletta
"Spargi d'amaro pianto". The Tasmanian-born conductor, Stuart Challender, conducted the Opera Australia Chorus and Australian Youth Orchestra and Clifford Grant and Robert Allman sang the roles of Raimondo and Enrico. This One-Night-Only Gala was held on July 25th, 1982. The exquisite costume design for Sutherland as Lucia in the Mad Scene comes from the brush of the divine Mr Michael Stennett for the Opera Australia production of 1980 - gifted to me for friendship.