Cloak worn by Nellie Melba as Elsa in Lohengrin, c.1891
Dublin Core
Title
Cloak worn by Nellie Melba as Elsa in Lohengrin, c.1891
Description
This ‘cloak of angels’ was worn by Melba to perform before Tsar Alexander III in St Petersburg in 1891. Together with Polish opera singers Jean and Edouard de Reszke, she had been commanded by the Tsar to perform in several operas at his Imperial Theatre.
During the journey there, customs officials stopped the train at the Russian border and searched the passengers’ luggage. To Melba’s dismay, the cloak was thrown into the snow; she rushed outside, desperately trying to explain its importance. After the performance, the Tsarina admired the costume, stroking it and saying 'How perfectly lovely this is!'
During the journey there, customs officials stopped the train at the Russian border and searched the passengers’ luggage. To Melba’s dismay, the cloak was thrown into the snow; she rushed outside, desperately trying to explain its importance. After the performance, the Tsarina admired the costume, stroking it and saying 'How perfectly lovely this is!'
Source
Australian Performing Arts Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne
Publisher
Grainger Museum
Date
c.1891
Rights
Arts Centre Melbourne
Identifier
Australian Performing Arts Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne
1977.001.001 | Gift of Pamela, Lady Vestey, 1977
1977.001.001 | Gift of Pamela, Lady Vestey, 1977