Melba, Dame Nellie

Melba, Dame Nellie (1861-1931), Australian singer (soprano).

Nellie Melba's real name was Helen Porter Mitchell. She took her stage name from the name of her home town, Melbourne in Victoria.

Melba became one of the most famous singers in the world. After studying in Paris, she sang in her first opera, Rigoletto, in Brussels, Belgium, in 1887 and afterwards she appeared in Russia, Denmark, England, the United States and Italy.

She made the first radio broadcast in Britain from Marconi's works at Chelmsford, Essex, on 15 June, 1920.

See Ann Blainey Marvelous Melba: The Extraordinary Life of a Great Diva