Nellie Melba sings Soir Paen, a song from Adolphe Hue

[AulicExclusiva]

An unusual choice, prompted perhaps my Melba's long-time friend, fautist John Lemmone.

The whole thing invites the comparison between flute and voice, from which Melba comes out triumphant. Perfect tone, as always! A very interesting disk.

[meltzerboy]

Not really among my very favorite Melba discs; merely very good, but I agree it is unusual. Melba was adventurous in certain aspects of her repertoire (not all), particularly her love of French melodies, and also due to the fact she did NOT sing any Bellini and only one Donizetti role. She virtually sang no Mozart either, except for one act of The Marriage of Figaro.

[AulicExclusiva]

What other Donizetti operas were heard with any regularity at Covent Garden? I don't really see Melba as Adina or Norina...then again I can't imagine her as Nedda either!

She did sing Semiramide.

[meltzerboy]

Yes, she sang Semiramide as well as Rosina: she was praised by Henderson for her singing of the latter, but I never read any reviews of her Semiramide. Of course, Melba had the technique for Italian bel canto opera; certain critics stated she lacked the style. As you know, her leggiero predecessors and contemporaries focused more on Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti. By the way, Leoncavallo was ecstatic over her singing of Nedda.

[AulicExclusiva]

I'm surprised she never recorded the Ballatella. It would seem to suite her like a tee.