Browse Items (337 total)

Melba’s reign as prima donna at Covent Garden in London was assisted by patron Lady Gladys de Grey, whose husband was one of the venue’s powerful supporters. Melba’s role in this performance, staged by the command of Queen Victoria, indicates the…

This performance at Covent Garden was held less
than a month before Melba sailed for Australia to
visit her ailing father. It was one of the last times
that she sang in London prior to the First World War,
during which Covent Garden was closed.…

Set of staff bells (detail), 1916; made by J.C. Deagan Inc. (Chicago) and Percy Aldridge Grainger

Gift of Agnes Dodds. Grainger Museum Archive, 2017/30-1/1

1. Eiraku Wazen, Japan, Nine tea cups, late 19th century-early 20th century. Purchased by Rose Grainger on 4 November 1920 from Wahman & Co., New York. 01.0184
2. Unknown maker, South Africa, Seed pod. Seed pod with repeated design of fine copper…

Small oval body (flat back and front) with long narrow hardwood neck. Body covered with python snakeskin on front and back with wooden veneer sides, 3 hexagonal tapered pegs. Peg box with scroll (bone string separator). No existent strings. No…

The sansa or ‘thumb piano’ is common across Africa. It is played by plucking the metal tongues over the wooden resonator to produce a pitched buzzing sound. This sansa was acquired on his travels by Australian composer and pianist Percy Grainger, who…