MOLTO BELLO!!! Thank you my friend for sharing this Wonderful and Rare Performance of Great Australian Operatic Soprano DAME NELLIE MELBA (1861 – 1931).
I believe it IS Melba. It sounds exactly like her. Adams was an excellent singer but with a lighter voice, and I don't think she had any reason that very day to imitate (so perfectly!) Melba's spirit and "maniere de chanter" in everything - tone production, trill, scales etc - Melba three years later still had an excellent high D in the recording of Se saran rose. I really believe it is her.
Nellie Melba (sobstv. Helen Porter Mitchell , married Armstrong , Eng. Nellie Melba , Helen Porter Mitchell ; May 19 1861 , Richmond, at Melbourne , is now in the Melbourne - February 23 1931 , Sydney ) - Australian singer ( soprano ).
Biography -- Born into a musical family, graduated from Presbyterian College for Girls, where her musical talent manifested itself. Later he took lessons in Paris with Mathilde Marchesi , who had a huge influence on her and persuaded her to take a nickname (he was elected on the name of his native city).
Creativity -- International recognition came to her after a speech in Brussels in 1887 as Gilda in Verdi's opera " Rigoletto . " She has performed in Europe, USA and Australia. One of her most famous roles was in the opera Lucia Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor." In 1920 she took part in a broadcast on the wireless telegraph plant Marconi in the UK.
Recognition and legacy -- Singer's worldwide fame was enormous. It - the lady and the lady Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire ( 1918 , 1927 ), and Melba, along with British actress Mae Whitty , was the first representative of performing arts-award of Commander of the Order of the ladies British Empire. Melba was the first Australian, whose portrait appeared on the cover of the magazine in London Times (April 1927 ).
Recognition and legacy -- Nellie Melba, along with Adelina Patti , were the first singers whose voices are recorded on a phonograph . Their marble busts - the only statue in the foyer of the singers in London 's Covent Garden . The name is Melba Melbourne Conservatory, the University of Melbourne there is a hall Melba. Name Melba named suburb of Canberra . Feature films about the singer was filmed in 1953 and 1987 (TV series).
Fun Facts -- The famous French chef Auguste Escoffier invented for the singer, fears for his throat and boyavsheysya eat ice cream, a dessert called " Peach Melba ": half plus peach and vanilla sauce Melba, madeof sweetened fresh raspberries. Melba toast (crispy, thin slice of bread) is also named in her honor Escoffier.
According to the Met database, Melba sang Marguerite de Valois only 4 times in 1901 and then never again.
Adams sang Queen Margot 8 times in 1901, and 3 times in 1902.
I am the most fanatical Melba fan who ever lived, but I've always believed this to be an Adams performance, based on the Rogers & Hammerstein Library transfer of 1985.
The earlier file (see "video responses"), minus filtering thus even noisier, actually gives an even stronger "live" presence. Thank you by stopping by! Cheers, etc. Doug --
If this is not Melba which it seem to be- it [must ?] be another Marchesi student. The vocal product - pure silvery voices and precise attacks are like fingerprints.
"Nellie Melba, a Contemporary Review" by William R. Moran (Greenwood Press, 1985) is very, very good.... but I'll be looking for the Blainey book here momentarily. THANK YOU!
Doug, it gives me chills to think this was captured so many years ago. This transfer has quite an amazing quality and whoever the wonderful operatic soprano was had an awesome voice.
Hi Ginny: Thanks! For many it is clearly Melba.... and for others, well, it clearly isn't, thus fun & games. In any case, and no matter, quite an amazing document. Perhaps we could get the CIA & FBI to help in identifying our singer! ALL BEST. Cheers, etc. Doug --
This is a very intersting post. I have no idea which Soprano it is, however, I am awed by the device that captured the voice so long ago. The soprano singing had a beautiful clear voice and the two ladies in your video were very beautiful. Grazie mio caro.
There is a silvery quality that is definitely Melba's. Also, we hear a very penetrating voice, of rather large volume, a lyric coloratura, not a leggiero stuff.
Ponselle one day said and repeted that Melba's voice was " a great, large voice, not a light soprano at all".
As I've stated before, I for one am convinced this is Melba, not Adams or some other soprano. The tone is difficult to judge by on these Mapleson cylinders, but the technique, including the Melba scales, is unmistakable. Thanks so much for posting.
It's really very, very interesting (and perhaps like a Rorschach inkblot test?). There are so many who agree, while many others will beg to differ. As I've said before... no matter... amazing document. Thank you very much !
MOLTO BELLO!!! Thank you my friend for sharing this Wonderful and Rare Performance of Great Australian Operatic Soprano DAME NELLIE MELBA (1861 – 1931).
MrGer2295 1 month ago in playlist More videos from CurzonRoad
I believe it IS Melba. It sounds exactly like her. Adams was an excellent singer but with a lighter voice, and I don't think she had any reason that very day to imitate (so perfectly!) Melba's spirit and "maniere de chanter" in everything - tone production, trill, scales etc - Melba three years later still had an excellent high D in the recording of Se saran rose. I really believe it is her.
sirdicaudore 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Nellie Melba (sobstv. Helen Porter Mitchell , married Armstrong , Eng. Nellie Melba , Helen Porter Mitchell ; May 19 1861 , Richmond, at Melbourne , is now in the Melbourne - February 23 1931 , Sydney ) - Australian singer ( soprano ).
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
MrGer2295 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Biography -- Born into a musical family, graduated from Presbyterian College for Girls, where her musical talent manifested itself. Later he took lessons in Paris with Mathilde Marchesi , who had a huge influence on her and persuaded her to take a nickname (he was elected on the name of his native city).
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
MrGer2295 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Creativity -- International recognition came to her after a speech in Brussels in 1887 as Gilda in Verdi's opera " Rigoletto . " She has performed in Europe, USA and Australia. One of her most famous roles was in the opera Lucia Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor." In 1920 she took part in a broadcast on the wireless telegraph plant Marconi in the UK.
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
MrGer2295 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Died of sepsis
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
MrGer2295 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Recognition and legacy -- Singer's worldwide fame was enormous. It - the lady and the lady Commander Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire ( 1918 , 1927 ), and Melba, along with British actress Mae Whitty , was the first representative of performing arts-award of Commander of the Order of the ladies British Empire. Melba was the first Australian, whose portrait appeared on the cover of the magazine in London Times (April 1927 ).
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
MrGer2295 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Recognition and legacy -- Nellie Melba, along with Adelina Patti , were the first singers whose voices are recorded on a phonograph . Their marble busts - the only statue in the foyer of the singers in London 's Covent Garden . The name is Melba Melbourne Conservatory, the University of Melbourne there is a hall Melba. Name Melba named suburb of Canberra . Feature films about the singer was filmed in 1953 and 1987 (TV series).
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
MrGer2295 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Fun Facts -- The famous French chef Auguste Escoffier invented for the singer, fears for his throat and boyavsheysya eat ice cream, a dessert called " Peach Melba ": half plus peach and vanilla sauce Melba, madeof sweetened fresh raspberries. Melba toast (crispy, thin slice of bread) is also named in her honor Escoffier.
Molto Bello!!! Thank you for sharing this video.
MrGer2295 3 months ago
According to the Met database, Melba sang Marguerite de Valois only 4 times in 1901 and then never again.
Adams sang Queen Margot 8 times in 1901, and 3 times in 1902.
I am the most fanatical Melba fan who ever lived, but I've always believed this to be an Adams performance, based on the Rogers & Hammerstein Library transfer of 1985.
Now, listening to this, I'm no longer so sure.
AulicExclusiva 2 years ago
But two of Melba's 1901 performances were on tour.
AulicExclusiva 2 years ago
At 1:10, you can hear that high note (even through this cylinder), ringed throughout the operahouse. This soprano must have had a big voice.
operagodess78 2 years ago
The earlier file (see "video responses"), minus filtering thus even noisier, actually gives an even stronger "live" presence. Thank you by stopping by! Cheers, etc. Doug --
CurzonRoad 2 years ago
Great performance
If this is not Melba which it seem to be- it [must ?] be another Marchesi student. The vocal product - pure silvery voices and precise attacks are like fingerprints.
Thanks-JOHN
65attila 2 years ago
There is a new Melba biography (by Ann Blainey) worth seeking out.
merrihew 2 years ago
"Nellie Melba, a Contemporary Review" by William R. Moran (Greenwood Press, 1985) is very, very good.... but I'll be looking for the Blainey book here momentarily. THANK YOU!
CurzonRoad 2 years ago
Doug, it gives me chills to think this was captured so many years ago. This transfer has quite an amazing quality and whoever the wonderful operatic soprano was had an awesome voice.
ginnykaren 2 years ago
Hi Ginny: Thanks! For many it is clearly Melba.... and for others, well, it clearly isn't, thus fun & games. In any case, and no matter, quite an amazing document. Perhaps we could get the CIA & FBI to help in identifying our singer! ALL BEST. Cheers, etc. Doug --
CurzonRoad 2 years ago
Caro Douglasio,
This is a very intersting post. I have no idea which Soprano it is, however, I am awed by the device that captured the voice so long ago. The soprano singing had a beautiful clear voice and the two ladies in your video were very beautiful. Grazie mio caro.
genia106 2 years ago
There is a silvery quality that is definitely Melba's. Also, we hear a very penetrating voice, of rather large volume, a lyric coloratura, not a leggiero stuff.
Ponselle one day said and repeted that Melba's voice was " a great, large voice, not a light soprano at all".
SENAFOREVER 2 years ago
As I've stated before, I for one am convinced this is Melba, not Adams or some other soprano. The tone is difficult to judge by on these Mapleson cylinders, but the technique, including the Melba scales, is unmistakable. Thanks so much for posting.
meltzerboy 2 years ago
It's really very, very interesting (and perhaps like a Rorschach inkblot test?). There are so many who agree, while many others will beg to differ. As I've said before... no matter... amazing document. Thank you very much !
CurzonRoad 2 years ago
Thanks for posting!
transformingArt 2 years ago