Dame Nellie Melba - An Australian Icon
pdf [50kb]
Moya McFadzean
Museum Victoria pays tribute to the extraordinary life and achievements of Dame Nellie Melba.
This floor talk presented Melba's life, her art and her relationship with Australia from 1901-1921.
On 19 May, 140 years ago, Helen Porter Mitchell was born in Richmond – she was to change her name to Melba, in honour of her home town, and become one of the greatest opera singers of all time.
Her artistic achievements helped to place Australia on the world's cultural map, and encouraged a new pride and confidence in Australian potential.
Melba's relationship with Australia was often ambivalent but her place in Australia's search for identity was significant and permanent. Melba remains one of our greatest cultural icons.
If your browser is unable to view these Acrobat PDF files, you will need to download and install Acrobat Reader 5.0 With a slow internet connection, PDF files may take some time to open.
