Nellie Melba

about

Dame Nellie Melba, GBE (19 May 1861 – 23 February 1931), born Helen Porter Mitchell, legendary Australian opera soprano and probably the most famous of all sopranos, was the first Australian to achieve international recognition in the form. She and Dame May Whitty both became the first entertainers to become a DBE in 1918. Melba was born at "Doonside" in Richmond (now an inner suburb of Melbourne, Victoria) into a musical family, attending the prestigious Presbyterian Ladies' College, where her musical talent emerged. She moved with her father David Mitchell to Queensland in 1880. In 1886, she travelled to Europe with her family in an attempt to begin a musical career. With no success in London, she continued to Paris where a prominent music teacher, Madame Mathilde Marchesi, agreed to tutor her. Melba's first starring role (as Gilda) was at the Théâtre de la Monnaie, Brussels and she returned to London to Lady de Grey's patronage, ensuring her success with the aristocratic audience at Covent Garden. Thus began a professional career in Australia, England, Europe and the United States that saw her as the prima donna at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden through to the 1920s. She was feted by royalty and her recordings for HMV always cost at least one shilling more than any other singer's, having their own distinctive mauve label as well. Before the War, Melba nights were social events and the audience blazed with jewels. Melba herself wore couture costumes by Worth of Pari

top songs

albums

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Hello Covent Garden

Nellie Melba - 1861-1931-

The Farewell Concert

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Nellie Melba: The Complete American Recordings, Vol. 3

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Melba, Nellie: Paris And London Recordings (1908-1913)

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Great Voices of the Century: Nellie Melba

Melba, Nellie: London Recordings (1904)

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MELBA, Nellie: London and Middlesex Recordings (1921-1926)

Dame Nellie Melba: An Opera Recital

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The Record of Singing 1899-1952

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Great Voices Of The 20th Century

The London Recordings 1904-1926

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