Classical Music / Opera Singer Datebook: May 19
Nellie Melba, DBE (19 May 1861 – 23 February 1931), born Helen Porter Mitchell, was an Australian opera soprano, the first Australian to achieve international recognition in the form, and a legend in her time.
She was born at "Doonside" in Richmond, suburb of Melbourne, into a musical family. She attended Presbyterian Ladies' College (a prestigious private school) where her musical talent emerged. Eventually, she became one of the most famous opera singers of the late Victorian Era until the early 20th century, the first Australian to achieve international recognition as a classical singer.
After a brief and unsuccessful marriage in Australia, she moved to Europe in search of a singing career. Failing to find engagements in London (1886), she studied in Paris. Soon she was successful there and in Brussels. She immediately returned to London where she established herself as the leading lyric soprano at the famous Covent Garden from 1888.
Here's a video of Dame Nellie Melba History Documentary. YouTube, uploaded by Stephanie history. Accessed 19 May, 2014.
Melba achieved further success in Paris and other places in Europe, and later at New York's famous Metropolitan Opera where she debuted in 1893. In her whole career she sang no more than 25 roles and was identified with about only ten. She sang little German opera and was mainly known for her performances in French and Italian opera.
She returned to her homeland in Melbourne, Australia frequently during the 20th century, singing in opera and concerts. She was active in the teaching singing at the Melbourne Conservatorium. In 1909, Nellie Melba bought property at Coldstream, a small town near Melbourne. She also set up a music school in Richmond, Victoria, which she later merged into the Conservatorium of Melbourne.
She was in Australia when the First World War broke out, and she threw herself into fund-raising for war charities, raising £100,000. In recognition of this, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in March 1918.
She continued to sing until the last months of her life. Her demise in Australia was news across the musical English-speaking world, with her funeral becoming a major national event.
Melba's name has been associated with foods, created in her honour by the French chef Auguste Escoffier. Among them are: Peach Melba, a famous dessert; Melba sauce, a sweet puree of red currant and raspberies; and Melba toast, a crisp dry toast.
Related Link:
Nellie Melba. FAREWELL PERFORMANCE. Royal Opera House. 1926. London. Electric Recording. Dame Nellie Melba,aged 65, Australian operatic soprano, star of the late 19th and early 20th. centuries, in a gala evening, sings Farewell to Covent Garden,"My operatic home", in fully staged/costumed Acts in the presence of King George V and his Consort, Queen Mary watching from the Royal Box.
Resources:
Melodies and Memories: The Autobiography of Nellie Melba. Introduced and annotated by John Cargher. Melbourne, Australia: Thomas Nelson Australia, 1979.
Nellie Melba. Wikipedia
Image Credit:
Nellie Melba by Henry Walter Barnett
Australian soprano, Dame Nellie Melba née Mitchell
Nellie Melba, DBE (19 May 1861 – 23 February 1931), born Helen Porter Mitchell, was an Australian opera soprano, the first Australian to achieve international recognition in the form, and a legend in her time.She was born at "Doonside" in Richmond, suburb of Melbourne, into a musical family. She attended Presbyterian Ladies' College (a prestigious private school) where her musical talent emerged. Eventually, she became one of the most famous opera singers of the late Victorian Era until the early 20th century, the first Australian to achieve international recognition as a classical singer.
After a brief and unsuccessful marriage in Australia, she moved to Europe in search of a singing career. Failing to find engagements in London (1886), she studied in Paris. Soon she was successful there and in Brussels. She immediately returned to London where she established herself as the leading lyric soprano at the famous Covent Garden from 1888.
Here's a video of Dame Nellie Melba History Documentary. YouTube, uploaded by Stephanie history. Accessed 19 May, 2014.
Melba achieved further success in Paris and other places in Europe, and later at New York's famous Metropolitan Opera where she debuted in 1893. In her whole career she sang no more than 25 roles and was identified with about only ten. She sang little German opera and was mainly known for her performances in French and Italian opera.
She returned to her homeland in Melbourne, Australia frequently during the 20th century, singing in opera and concerts. She was active in the teaching singing at the Melbourne Conservatorium. In 1909, Nellie Melba bought property at Coldstream, a small town near Melbourne. She also set up a music school in Richmond, Victoria, which she later merged into the Conservatorium of Melbourne.
She was in Australia when the First World War broke out, and she threw herself into fund-raising for war charities, raising £100,000. In recognition of this, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in March 1918.
She continued to sing until the last months of her life. Her demise in Australia was news across the musical English-speaking world, with her funeral becoming a major national event.
Melba's name has been associated with foods, created in her honour by the French chef Auguste Escoffier. Among them are: Peach Melba, a famous dessert; Melba sauce, a sweet puree of red currant and raspberies; and Melba toast, a crisp dry toast.
Related Link:
Nellie Melba. FAREWELL PERFORMANCE. Royal Opera House. 1926. London. Electric Recording. Dame Nellie Melba,aged 65, Australian operatic soprano, star of the late 19th and early 20th. centuries, in a gala evening, sings Farewell to Covent Garden,"My operatic home", in fully staged/costumed Acts in the presence of King George V and his Consort, Queen Mary watching from the Royal Box.
Resources:
Melodies and Memories: The Autobiography of Nellie Melba. Introduced and annotated by John Cargher. Melbourne, Australia: Thomas Nelson Australia, 1979.
Nellie Melba. Wikipedia
Image Credit:
Nellie Melba by Henry Walter Barnett
(c) May 2012. Updated May 19, 2014. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
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