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Melba learnt the role of Mimi in Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème with the composer and her performances helped to make the opera famous. She wore this bonnet in the 1924 Melba–Williamson Grand Opera Season in Australia and probably other productions of…

While in London in 1886, Nellie Armstrong auditioned for several singing teachers but was turned down by all of them, including Sir Arthur Sullivan. Demonstrating her resolve, she travelled to Paris to sing for Europe’s leading vocal teacher,…

Melba’s earliest performances as Ophélie in Ambroise Thomas’ Hamlet were at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels in April 1888 and her debut at the Paris Opéra in May 1889. Thomas described her as the ‘Ophélie of my dreams’.

The title role of Gaetano Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor highlighted Melba’s vocal abilities, particularly in the ‘mad scene’ which showcased her remarkable trill. Her 1888 Covent Garden debut in the role received a lukewarm response from critics,…

Melba dated her success at Covent Garden from her 1889 performance in Roméo et Juliette opposite Jean de Reszke. It was the first time that English audiences had heard the opera sung in French. Juliette became one of the most frequently performed…

In 1889, prior to performing in Paris as Marguerite in Faust, Melba visited the famous French actress, Sarah Bernhardt, who declared: ‘You sing like an angel. I want to teach you to act like an angel too.’ Bernhardt proceeded to give Melba a lesson…

In January 1894, Melba read an unexpected announcement in the New York Herald that she was to perform as Elizabeth in Richard Wagner’s opera Tannhäuser at the Metropolitan Opera House. Rather than cancel the performance, she determinedly learnt the…

Melba sang regularly before royalty, both privately and for special events, in countries including England, Russia, Norway and Austria. She performed at Buckingham Palace on several occasions including this concert in 1893.

This concert was part of the celebrations in London leading up to the coronation of King George V. Three young male performers also appeared in the concert: German pianist, Wilhelm Backhaus; Irish-Canadian bass, Edmund Burke; and Irish tenor, John…

Melba’s earliest performance as Violetta in La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi was during her first season in Brussels in 1887. At the time, her inexperience in acting was noted but the role later became a staple in her repertoire.

It was as Violetta…