Hammond, (Dame) Joan (Hood)

views updated

Hammond, (Dame) Joan (Hood) (b Christchurch, NZ, 1912; d Bowral, NSW, 1996). Australian soprano of New Zealand birth. Played vn. in Sydney SO for 3 years. Début as singer Sydney 1928 ( Giovanna in Rigoletto). London début 1938 (Messiah) and in opera in Vienna 1938. Later career in opera houses in London, Vienna, Moscow, and Netherlands, repertory incl. Aida, Fidelio, and some Wagner. Member Carl Rosa Co. 1942–5. CG début 1948; Amer. début (NY City Opera) 1949. Sang title-role in f.p. in Eng. trans. of Rusalka, SW 1959. Worked as journalist in Australia, also excellent golfer. Retired 1965. Autobiography A Voice, A Life (1970). OBE 1953, CBE 1963, CMG 1972, DBE 1974.

More From encyclopedia.com