Joan Sutherland Quotes

#1. I know I'm not exactly a bombshell, but one has to make the best of what one's got.

Joan Sutherland

#2. I'm very happy to sing whatever I'm singing. I've always enjoyed any role I've been given at a certain time. They've all been favourites, they've all been wonderful pieces to play.

Joan Sutherland

#3. One is just given a talent, and it's one's duty to make the most of it.

Joan Sutherland

#4. You can listen to what everybody says, but the fact remains that you've got to get out there and do the thing yourself.

Joan Sutherland

#5. My voice was obviously God given and I have tried to give of myself honestly.

Joan Sutherland

#6. I'm somewhat horrified because I don't think the young people today even know what history is. Some of them don't' even study History at school anymore or Geography and they don't know where one place is from another.

Joan Sutherland

#7. I wasn't actually trained by my mother, she said she never taught me but she was a great singer herself and I can't remember when I didn't listen to her sing and imitate her.

Joan Sutherland

#8. Technique is the basis of every pursuit. If you're a sportsman or you're a singer or a swimmer, well that comes under sport but you have to develop a basic technique to know what you're doing at any given time.

Joan Sutherland

#9. If I weren't reasonably placid, I don't think I could cope with this sort of life. To be a diva, you've got to be absolutely like a horse.

Joan Sutherland

#10. The world we are born into-this complicated, difficult, hauntingly touching world-is the one whole thing. It is the world we awaken in, and awaken to.

Joan Sutherland

#11. All singers must be crazy. But we're a nice family of crazy people

Joan Sutherland

#12. I don't sing for anybody. I wouldn't sing for the Queen dear.

Joan Sutherland