This film tells the story of Dame Joan Sutherland - one of the greatest operatic performers of the late twentieth century.

Shy and lacking in confidence, she sang unnoticed at Covent Garden for seven years after arriving from Australia, but over the course of twelve months she was transformed into `La Stupenda`.

Focusing on the two roles that launched her onto the international stage, Lucia di Lammermoor and Alcina, this documentary tells her story through major new interviews with Dame Joan, Richard Bonynge, Franco Zeffirelli, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Marilyn Horne and Sherrill Milnes.