Thanks to The Wizard of Oz, the state of Kansas will forever be known for its tornadoes.
Another Kansas-born force of nature, the self-styled 'Yankee Diva' and multi-Grammy-winning opera singer Joyce DiDonato, is about to encounter the other Aus.
DiDonato is one of the world's most in demand singers, and she's making her first trip to Australia this month, performing in Hobart and Melbourne.
Not your traditional opera diva
DiDonato is the antithesis of the traditional operatic diva.
Legends with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato Ahead of her debut Australian tour, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato talks with Mairi Nicolson about her love of new music, her drive for activism and her passion for teaching.
In person and on her blog, she's down-to-earth, funny and self-deprecating and brings these qualities to her stage life.
"Oh yes, I would not be doing this for the majority of my life if I wasn't having fun!" exclaims DiDonato.
She had a modest upbringing in a large "chaotic" family in the "Catholic Midwest."
The idea of pursuing a big solo career "sounded just too grand for this Midwestern girl," she shares.
Perhaps this is why DiDonato remains extremely
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