Titled the most acclaimed soprano of the 20th century by the New York Times, the late opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland now has a visible connection to Wingham.
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On Wednesday, March 21 the Wingham Museum took custody of a rare book, Joan Sutherland: Designs for a Prima Donna, autographed to the Manning Valley by La Stupenda herself.
In 1986 the Taree Quota Club hosted a three-day exhibition of Dame Joan’s opera costumes at the Masonic Hall. Following the display, Quota bought a copy of the hardcover book and presented it to the Manning Entertainment Centre when it opened in 1988. The book resided in a glass case in the foyer of the MEC until a few years ago, at which time it ended up on the second floor of the former Greater Taree City Council building.
When GTCC amalgamated with Gloucester and Great Lakes councils, Quota decided it was once again time for the book to find a new home. It now belongs to the community, under the custody of Manning Valley Historical Society’s Wingham Museum.
The book is a particularly rare item, as only 500 copies were ever published. Each copy is signed by Dame Joan Sutherland and her husband, renowned international conductor Richard Bonynge, the author of the book.
It was a great relief to me. It is dear to my heart.
- Taree Quota president, Jeanette Holland OAM
Published in 1985, the 199 page hard cover book has a full decorative silk binding, as does the protective solander box the book came in. Inside the book are tipped-in colour plates of artwork of Dame Joan’s costumes.
The copy presented to the museum by Quota is issue 66/500. The book is personally signed “my best wishes to the Manning Valley, with many thanks, Joan Sutherland.”
The book originally cost Quota $500. A seller from the US is asking for $1400 for a signed copy of the book on Amazon.
The book is now appropriately housed in a glass case at the museum, and anyone touching it must wear white gloves, for preservation purposes.
The museum was truly standing room only at the official handover ceremony on Wednesday, as museum volunteers, Quota members and interested members of the public attended.
It truly is a beautiful piece. We’re proud that it is belonging to the community and housed in such a beautiful case.
- Jeanette Holland OAM
Taree Quota Club president Jeanette Holland spoke of her happiness of the Wingham Museum taking custody of the book.
“It was a great relief to me. It is dear to my heart,” an emotional Jeanette said.
“The book is special to all Quotarians, especially those of us who were around in 1986.
“It truly is a beautiful piece. We’re proud that it is belonging to the community and housed in such a beautiful case.”
As the book is cased in glass, the public is unable to have a look through the pages. However museum president, Neal Greenaway said the pages would be turned once a month so a new page will be on display regularly for visitors to see.
Julia Driscoll
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
