Dame Nellie Melba (1861-1931) - Find a Grave Memorial

Opera Singer. She was born Helen Porter Mitchell in Richmond, Melbourne, Australia. After studying music as a child in Australia, she accompanied her father to Paris where, after an auditon, she was chosen to be a student of the famous teacher, Mathilde Marchesi. At her teacher's urging she adopted the stage name "Nellie Melba." In 1887, she made her operatic debut performing Verdi's "Rigoletto" in Brussells. She went on to perform in Paris, London, New York, as well as other major venues and she soon became known as one of the world's best sopranos. She was very popular in her native Australia and during World War I she held many concerts in Australia and North America to raise funds for the war relief effort. For her service she was named a "Dame Commnder of the Order of the British Empire." She also established a singing school in Melbourne, offering her servcies free of charge. In 1920, she became the first internationally recognized singer to participate in direct radio broadcasts. She made about two hundred recordings during her career.

Bio by: Bigwoo