Overview
A life worthy of a diva—a story of danger, love, sacrifice, and the fickleness of fate. Joan Hammond lived an extraordinary life, as dramatic and deeply moving as any of the operatic roles for which she became famous—Tosca, Mimi, Butterfly, Aida, Salome, Rusalka. No stranger to success, in her youth Joan was a golfing champion, excelling at most sports. But it was her voice that took her on a life-changing journey to Europe where the opulent pre-war theaters became her domain. Ever passionate, always generous, and never losing her Australian accent, Joan Hammond was an inspiring character; yet behind the scenes she faced many challenging twists of fortune. Joan's exhilarating performances introduced opera and classical song to millions of people, world-wide. She turned little-known arias into popular hits and pioneered the way for Australian artists on the world stage. When her own performing and recording days were over, she devoted herself to coaxing Australian opera into life not least through teaching young singers. Sara Hardy tells Joan's life story in all its glamour and complexity. Through interviews with family and old friends, she captures Joan's joie de vivre—that wonderful sparkle that never left her eyes.
While major retailers like Amazon may carry Dame Joan Hammond (Love and Music), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of Dame Joan Hammond (Love and Music).