Dame Nellie Melba - Clair de Lune

A request for an electric Melba. Nellie Melba singing Clair de Lune (Szulc) for HMV (Victor) in 1926 at age 65. Obviously an aging voice but hints of what it once was. An effective performance. I'll have to post one of her in her prime. I've also posted other performances of this song by Maggie Teyte and Mary Garden.

Below is a translation by YT member AulicExclusiva for which I am very grateful.

Votre âme est un paysage choisi
Your soul is a chosen landscape
Que vont charmant masques et bergamasques
Charmed along by maskers and mummers
Jouant du luth et dansant et quasi
Playing the lute and dancing and almost
Tristes sous leurs déguisements fantasques.
Sad, under their fancyful disguises.




Tout en chantant sur le mode mineur
Although they sing in a minor mode
L'amour vainqueur et la vie opportune,
About conquering love and seizing life,
Ils n'ont pas l'air de croire à leur bonheur
They do not look as if they believed in their own happiness
Et leur chanson se mêle au clair de lune,
And their song blends with the light of the moon,




Au calme clair de lune triste et beau,
The calm, clear moon glow, sad and beautiful,
Qui fait rêver les oiseaux dans les arbres
Which makes birds dream on their trees
Et sangloter d'extase les jets d'eau,
And flowing fountains sob with rapture;
Les grands jets d'eau sveltes parmi les marbres.
Their great svelte jets of water amidst the statues.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Melba
• Victor
• orthophonic

[ttellerx]

Thanks for this precious posting but canI suggest you never play that record with that old heavy head and stylus. Please find a modern, lightweight electronic pick up. The record is too valuable!

[merrihew]

See my posting "In defense of an orthophonic". This record is not that rare and is in less than perfect condition, otherwise I would have played it "Modern". When I post rare or mint records I use modern equipment.

[expatmartin]

Thank you for this little treasure one can hear at 65 that she was indeed one of the greatest singers of all time.

I am Melba by Ann Blainey is an excellent biography just released and well worth reading.

Thank you

[merrihew]

There is a 1/2 hour interview with Blainey on the web about the book . Thanks for the tip. I just ordered it. In the US, the title is "The Marvelous Melba".

[pax41]

Roger did she make any other electrics? If so, do you have them?

[merrihew]

There are 8 LaBoheme excerpts from a 1926 live performance. She made 2 commercial electric discs: Clair de Lune; Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (the 2 that I have on 78); Un Ange Est Venu and Dita Alla Giovine frpom Traviata. I have them all on LP.

[iice123]

this so beautiful and timeless, i havent hered this song sung like this in such a long time ... thnak you for posting it

[SusanSusaw]

How beautiful and limpid her voice was. The celebrated Singers of today at 30 should sound so good

[suzettegm]

Nothing beats schellak.

[Noshirm]

Thank heavens for the existence of this recording, your kindness in posting it, for Craxton's marvelous accompaniment, and for Melba's still-lovely voice.

[Pugacevv]

Che meraviglia il tutto caro Gianluca . Inutile aggiungere di più . Ti auguro una buona domenica ..

Walter

[hangout2007]

oh my gosh! i never heard of her and listening to such a sweet voice is bliss! she has power and tenderness and clarity. thanks for posting!