Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation
The Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Foundation is an Australian organisation based in Sydney, founded by the Australian soprano Joan Sutherland and her husband, conductor and promoter Richard Bonynge. Its purpose is to assist young opera artists study bel canto opera, in the form of annual awards, chief of which is the $30,000 Bel Canto Award, established in 2011, which in 2022 was won by mezzo-soprano Fleuranne Brockway.[1] Previous recipients include Alasdair Kent in 2016.
One of the Foundation's income streams is from sale of a coffee-table book devoted to "Chalet Monet", the couple's residence in Switzerland, overlooking Lake Geneva,[2] which they purchased through their friendship with Noël Coward.[3]
The Foundation also administers the Elizabeth Connell Prize for aspiring young dramatic sopranos. The prize is funded by an endowment bequeathed by, and named for, the South African soprano Elizabeth Connell.[4]
References
- Maddy Briggs (23 November 2022). "Winner of the 2022 Joan Sutherland & Richard Bonynge Award announced". Limelight magazine. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- Mairi Nicolson (29 Sep 2020). "Explore the Life of conductor Richard Bonynge". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- Yeong Sassall (14 September 2020). "Inside Dame Joan Sutherland's incredible Swiss mansion Chalet Monet". Vogue. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- Francisco Salazar (2023). "Elizabeth Connell Competition". OperaWire. Retrieved 24 September 2023.