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Opera legend Joan Sutherland, 81, recovering after breaking both her legs
Updated 00:01am on 8 Jul 2008
Robust: Joan Sutherland pictured in 2004
Dame Joan Sutherland is in hospital after breaking both legs in a fall in the garden of her Swiss home.
The 81- year- old Australian opera legend was picking flowers and lost her balance, according to an assistant at her home near Montreux.
Dame Joan underwent surgery at a nearby hospital.
Last night her agent, David Sigall, said that the procedure had been successful and she had been moved to a rehabilitation ward.
She is expected to stay there for up to eight weeks before being allowed to put any weight on her legs.
Her agent added: 'All is well. She's always been in pretty robust health.'
Sutherland's husband, conductor Richard Bonynge, initially canceled a planned performance with Opera Australia later this month but was convinced by Sutherland to carry out the engagement.
'Mr Bonynge has now gone to Australia to conduct Gaetano Donizetti's 'Lucia di Lammermoor,' Sigall said.
Sutherland's performance in the difficult title role in a 1959 Covent Garden revival widely is seen as her breakthrough in an international career that lasted until 1991.
Sigall said Sutherland had no previous accidents.
