Country

:

Australia

Birth

:

May 19, 1861 in Burnley, Australia

Death

:

February 23, 1931 in Sydney, Australia

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Nellie Melba was a renowned Australian soprano who became one of the most celebrated opera singers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born Helen Porter Mitchell on May 19, 1861, in Richmond, Victoria, Australia, she was the eldest of ten children. Her father, David Mitchell, was a wealthy builder and property developer, and her mother, Isabella Ann Dow, was a talented pianist and singer. Melba showed an early interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. She also sang in the choir at her local church and performed in school concerts. However, her parents did not initially support her musical ambitions and instead encouraged her to pursue a more conventional career. In 1880, Melba married Charles Nesbitt Frederick Armstrong, a wealthy Englishman, and moved to London. It was there that she began to take her singing more seriously and started studying with the renowned vocal coach Mathilde Marchesi. Marchesi recognized Melba's talent and encouraged her to pursue a career as an opera singer. Melba made her operatic debut in Brussels in 1887, singing the role of Gilda in Verdi's Rigoletto. Her performance was a great success, and she soon became a sought-after performer throughout Europe. In 1888, she made her debut at London's Covent Garden, singing the role of Lucia in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor. Her performance was so well-received that she was immediately offered a contract to sing at the opera house for the next three seasons. Over the next few years, Melba continued to perform in Europe, singing in some of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. In 1893, she made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, singing the role of Juliette in Gounod's Roméo et Juliette. Her performance was a great success, and she became a regular performer at the Met for the next several years. Melba was known for her beautiful voice, which had a pure, clear tone and a remarkable range. She was particularly renowned for her performances of the works of Mozart, Verdi, and Puccini. She was also known for her impeccable technique and her ability to convey emotion through her singing. In addition to her opera performances, Melba was also a prolific recording artist. She made her first recordings in 1904, and over the next several years, she recorded hundreds of songs and arias. Her recordings were hugely popular, and she became one of the best-selling recording artists of her time. Melba was also known for her philanthropic work. She was a generous supporter of various charities and was particularly interested in supporting causes related to music and the arts. In 1909, she established the Melba Conservatorium of Music in Melbourne, which provided music education to young people in Australia. Melba continued to perform well into her 60s, and she remained a beloved figure in the world of opera until her death in 1931. She was honored with numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, including the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1918. Today, she is remembered as one of the greatest sopranos of all time, and her recordings continue to be treasured by music lovers around the world.

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