Premier Barry O’Farrell was joined at the renaming ceremony by Dame Joan’s husband, the legendary conductor Richard Bonynge AC CBE, their son Adam Bonynge and other members of the Bonynge and Sutherland families.
"I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to Dame Joan - her contribution to the Sydney Opera House and the Opera Theatre was immeasurable,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“Dame Joan put the Sydney Opera House on the world’s performing arts’ map.
“It was the newly opened Sydney Opera House where Dame Joan returned to perform with Opera Australia after conquering the international stage and being crowned ‘La Stupenda’.
“It meant two extraordinary gifts for Sydney – the stunning new Sydney Opera House and the return of Dame Joan.
“Such was her talent, Dame Joan attracted the greatest opera singers in the world to perform with her in front of her Sydney audiences.
“The renaming of the Opera Theatre in Dame Joan’s honour ensures her name and legacy will remain with us for generations and we’ll all be reminded of her glorious talent.
“Joan Sutherland was born in Sydney and she gave her famous farewell performance here 22 years ago in October 1990.
“Since its opening in 1973, just one other individual has been honoured by the renaming of an Opera House venue – the architect of the World Heritage-listed building, Jørn Utzon.
“It is appropriate that from today, the two people most associated with Sydney Opera House, the man who created it, Jørn Utzon, and the woman who made it sing, Joan Sutherland, should be remembered in this way.”
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