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Dame Nellie Melba

Dame Nellie Melba (Helen "Nellie" Porter Mitchell) was born on 19 May 1861. She was an Australian operatic soprano. In 20th century, she was the one famous singers of the late Victorian Era. Melba was the first to get international recognition as a music appreciation.

She learned singing in Melbourne and there she didn’t get much success. Then she moved to Europe for singing career. In 1888, after returned from London she established as the leading lyric soprano at Covent Garden. The she achieved good success in Paris and then in Europe, Metropolitan Opera, New York in 1893. In her singing career she sang more than 25 roles but identified with only ten and she is well-known for her performance in French and Italian opera then German opera.

During the First World War, she raised funds for war charities around �100,000. She continued her singing until the last months of her life. Melba made a number of farewell appearances. In 23 February 1931, she died in Australia at age of 69 and her funeral was a major event.

Early Years

Melba was born to David Mitchell and Isabella Ann nee Dow. She did her schooling at boarding school and then at the Presbyterian Ladies' College. She learned singing with Mary Ellen Christian and Pietro Cecchi, an Italian teno. In her teens she performed in various concerts in Melbourne and played the organ a large musical instrument at church, but her father not approved taking up as career. In 1881, her mother died at Richmond.

Then her father moved to Mackey, Queensland and quickly she became popular there for singing and piano-playing. She married to Charles Nesbitt Frederick Armstrong (1858–1948) in 1882 and they had a son. They were separated after a year and returned to Melbourne to continue her singing career. In 1884, she made her first public performance.

Honours, Memorials and Legacy

In 1918, she appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. In 1927, she was eminent to Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire. She was first woman to appear on cover magazine.

In honor to her French chef Auguste Escoffier named with four foods:Peach Melba, a dessert

Melba sauce, a sweet puree of raspberries and red currant

Melba toast, a crisp dry toast

Melba Garniture