Today is the 90th birthday of Richard Bonynge. Bonynge, born outside Sydney, Australia, was the husband of Dame Joan Sutherland, whom he survives. (Sutherland died in 2010.) It was through his encouragement that Sutherland flourished to become the legendary coloratura soprano she was. The couple married in 1954.
In 1962, after a conductor who had been slated to accompany Sutherland in a recital of operatic arias fell ill, and his replacement was injured in an automobile accident, Bonynge, who had previously been her piano accompanist, rose to the occasion. Thereafter, he would conduct virtually all of Sutherland’s performances.
He also conducted many of her recordings, so that he came to be seen as something of a bel canto specialist. Those of a cattier disposition were sometimes dismissive, suggesting that he had ridden to success on the train of his wife.
Others will note that, above and beyond his considerable discography in the realm of opera, Bonynge distinguished himself also by recording much delightful ballet music for the London/Decca label. More recently, his recordings have been weighted toward Victorian opera, resurrecting forgotten works by Michale Balfe, Alfred Cellier, Sir Arthur Sullivan, and William Vincent Wallace. More power to him!
Happy birthday, Richard Bonynge!
Bonynge conducts ballet music from Massenet’s “Le Cid”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mqobKNC2VE
Bonygne supports Sutherland and Pavarotti: