Melba, Nellie

Variant names

Hide Profile

Melba was born Helen Porter Mitchell. In 1882 she married Charles Nesbit Frederick Armstrong, who died in 1948.

From the description of Papers concerning Mitchell and Armstrong families [manuscript]. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225791512

Mrs Helen Porter Armstrong, soprano singer, was born in, and derived her non de plume from Melbourne. She first appeared in opera in 1887 after concentrating for many years on her piano playing and made her final appearance in Covent Garden in 1926 and in Australia in 1928. She was created D.B.E. 1918 and C.B.E. 1927.

From the description of Letter [manuscript] : to Mrs McEwan. [18--?]. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225633072

December 1886, was the first time that Helen Armstrong appeared under the name of Madame Melba while studying in Paris with Madame Marchesi (who was ultimately responsible for her later great successes). From 1887 she appeared in Grand Opera in Europe and England. Her first appearance in the U.S.A. was in 1893 and she made several visits to Australia in the early 1900s. Melba returned to Australia from London in 1930 because of ill health, and died in Sydney on 23 February, 1931.

From the description of Scrapbooks. 1924. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225843019

Singer.

From the description of Papers [manuscript]. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225771379

Dame Nellie Melba was born in Melbourne in 1861 and took her stage name from that city. A year's study in Paris with the famous Mathilde Marchesi transformed her from a gifted beginner into a brilliant vocalist, soon to be regarded as the most accomplished and most famous soprano of her time. Her purity of voice made her the most famous Diva in the operatic world, throughout which she gave many performances. Between 1904 and 1926 Melba made some 150 records. Her final performance at Covent Garden was in June 1926, with her last Australian performances in Sydney and Melbourne in 1928.

From the description of Papers of Dame Nellie Melba [manuscript]. 1895-1923. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 222934796

Australian soprano of Scottish descent.

From the description of Autograph letter signed, dated : Berlin, 4 February 1900[?], to Walter Damrosch in New York, 1900? Feb. 4. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270582146

From the description of Autograph letter signed : [n.p., San Francisco?, n.d.], to Miss [Mabel] Craft [later Mrs. Frank P. Deering], [n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270582150

From the description of Autograph letter signed : [n.p., n.d.], to a named but unidentified recipient, [n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270582153

From the description of Autograph letter signed : [n.p., London?, n.d.], to Mr. [Samuel?] Aitken, [n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270582143

From the description of Clipped signature, dated : [n.p.], 1896., 1896. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270582156

From the description of Autograph note on her visiting card : [n.p., n.d.], to an unidentified recipient, [n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270974521

R. Himmer in 1886 was a retired German opera singer teaching singing in Melbourne.

From the description of Letter [manuscript]. 1886 May 13. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225717661

Australian Opera Singer.

From the description of Papers of Dame Nellie Melba. ca. 1908-1970. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 222422267

Australian singer.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Savoy Hotel, [London], to Arthur Sullivan, [n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270125350

Dame Nellie Melba, soprano singer, was born Helen Porter Mitchell, at Burnley Street, Richmond on May 19th 1861. She later became Helen Porter Armstrong, when she married Charles Nisbett Frederick Armstrong.

From the description of Centenary pilgrimage to grave [manuscript]. 1961. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225171985

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Marston, Frances. "Madame Melba's Concert" program, 1902 Nov. 5. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Brookes, Dorothea. Letters : to Dorothea Brookes. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Harris, Augustus, Sir, 1852-1896. Autograph letters signed (6), dated : [London], 1888-1892, to Mr. [Joseph] Bennett, 1888 July 10. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Fanning, Beryl. Correspondence with Nellie Melba [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Sutherland, Margaret, 1897-1984. Scrapbook of family memborabilia. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Edward Johnson Collection (University of Guelph). Collection of correspondence, newspaper and magazine articles, and biographical material related to Edward Johnson. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Webster, Beveridge, 1908-1999. Papers, 1916-1990. University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Autograph letter signed : [n.p., London?, n.d.], to Mr. [Samuel?] Aitken, [n.d.]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music. Records [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Phillips, Thea. TR 1797 Dame Nellie Melba Correspondence, 1882-1986. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Scrapbooks. Libraries Australia
creatorOf G. Damman & Co. Records and photographs. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Prime, Ernest. Papers and photographs, [not after 1931] [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie Dame, 1861-1931. Scrapbook. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Feder, Ray S. Ray S. Feder autograph collection. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Maloney, Patrick. Letters received, with lecture notes [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Cochran, Tom. Letters and press clippings of Tom Cochran, 1919-1989 [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Letters [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn McEwen, J. R. Papers. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie Dame, 1861-1931. Centenary pilgrimage to grave [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Barkly, Henry Sir, 1815-1898. Letters relating to Australia. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Farewell of Dame Nellie Melba 1926 [manuscript] : souvenir programme. University of Queensland, UQ Library
referencedIn John Eldon Thayer collection of motion picture memorabilia, 1916-1979. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Levy, Pauline Goodheim,. Pauline Goodheim Levy scrapbook of musicians' autographs, 1890-1885. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Melba, Nellie Dame, 1861-1931. Programme, 1927 [manuscript] : Dame Nellie Melba's farewell concert. Libraries Australia
referencedIn [Music concert programs - ABC - Brisbane Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Symphony Orchestra : ephemera material collected by the State Library of Queensland]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Lemmoné, John, 1861-1949. Papers [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Stanley, Margaret Lady, 1875-1964. Papers. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Patterson, Gerald Leighton, 1895-1967. Correspondence, 1898-1972 [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Kerr-Pearse, Beauchamp. Papers [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Moody, Stella. Autograph book. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Photographs of musicians, composers, and singers, 1862-1948. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Papers [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn [Opera and operatic life in Australia, 1924-1932]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Papers concerning Mitchell and Armstrong families [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Joachim, Joseph, 1831-1907. [Cadenzas for Dame Nellie Melba] [music]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Letter to Mon cher Ami, not after 1931. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn General Collection manuscript music miscellany, [ca. 1600-ongoing] Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Century Company records New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Hart, Fritz Bennicke, 1874-1949. Papers [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Clipped signature, dated : [n.p.], 1896., 1896. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Hollander, Graham. Address and letter [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Meyer, E. Olga. Autograph album, 1897-1914. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company. Excerpt from a voyage with the mails between Brisbane and London [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Lang, B. J. (Benjamin Johnson), 1837-1909. Letters received, 1860 March 9-1903 Nov. Boston Athenaeum
referencedIn Power, Stella, 1896-1977. Papers and sound recordings. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Perrin family. Papers. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Autographed libretto, 1898. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Theater and opera scrapbooks, 1902-1918. Cornell University Library
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Autograph letter signed : Savoy Hotel, [London], to Arthur Sullivan, [n.d.]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Streeton, Arthur Sir, 1867-1943. Letters of Sir Arthur Streeton, 1915-1943. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Kerr-Pearse, Elizabeth. Letters and diary [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Letter : Camfield Place, Hatfield, Herts, to Lord Sydenham [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Podhragy, Leopold Baron. Correspondence and photographs [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie Dame, 1861-1931. Papers of Dame Nellie Melba. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Autograph note on her visiting card : [n.p., n.d.], to an unidentified recipient, [n.d.]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Sullivan, Arthur, Sir, 1842-1900. Autograph letters signed (5), dated : [London, 1888], 24 February 1890, and [n.d.], to [Sir] John [Everett] Millais, 1888, 1890 Feb. 24, and n.d. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Musgrove, George, 1854-1916. Records of theatrical entrepreneur George Musgrove. Libraries Australia
referencedIn May, Sydney Lionel. The Melba story [manuscript] : the years Dame Nellie Melba spent in Queensland, 1881-1884 / by Sydney May. University of Queensland, UQ Library
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, 1861-1931. OM72-50 Dame Nellie Melba Programme, 1911. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Musgrove, George, 1854-1916. Records, 1896-1905. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Abott, Bessie, 1878-1919,. Autograph album of Hartman Hotel, 1903-1918. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Southwick, W.M.H. 8106 Nellie Melba and W.M.H. Southwick Correspondence, 28 Oct 1902. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Autograph letter signed : [n.p., San Francisco?, n.d.], to Miss [Mabel] Craft [later Mrs. Frank P. Deering], [n.d.]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Delibes, Léo, 1836-1891. Autograph letters signed (4), dated : Choisy-au-Bac, St. Nectaire-le-Haut, and Alpnach (Lake Lucerene, 24 September [1888] and [n.d., 1888-1890?], to [Henri Heugel], 1888 Sept. 24 [and 1888-1890?]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Fanning, Beryl. Scrapbook [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie Dame, 1861-1931. Letters [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Letters and photograph [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Photographs and press cuttings [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn ARS Miscellany, 1899-2005 Archive of Recorded Sound
creatorOf Adam, Juliette, 1836-1936. Francesco Finelli de Valletta scrapbook, 1878-1919. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Massenet, Jules, 1842-1912. Autograph letter signed, dated : Paris, 3 September 1896, to an unidentified recipient, 1896 Sept. 3. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Shield, Tom. Scrapbook [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Fleury, Louis, 1878-1926. Autograph letters signed (2), dated : Les Petites-Dalles, 20 July [1921], and [London, n.d.], to Mme [Louise] Alvar-Harding, [1921] July 20 and n.d. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Melba, Nellie Dame, 1861-1931. Letter and photograph. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Berkeley, Wilma, 1901-1984. Documents. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie Dame, 1861-1931. Letter : France, to "Cher Maitre." Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Autograph letter signed, dated : Berlin, 4 February 1900[?], to Walter Damrosch in New York, 1900? Feb. 4. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Melba, Nellie Dame, 1861-1931. Special programme, 1927 [manuscript] : Melba - Zimbalist recital. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Smithwick, Cedric Leslie. Diaries and papers [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Howard E. Potter papers, 1929-1961 The New York Public Library. Music Division.
referencedIn Fairbairn, Anne. The discovery of a Nellie Melba archive [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Robertson, George, 1860-1933. Correspondence. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Isabella Stewart Gardner papers Archives of American Art
creatorOf Melba, Nellie Dame, 1861-1931. Papers of Dame Nellie Melba [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Tait, Charles. Papers [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Letter [manuscript] : to Lord Burnham. Libraries Australia
creatorOf McCormack, John, 1884-1945. Frederick M. Manning Collection of John McCormack Materials. 1889-1997, (bulk 1905-1945). Boston College. John J. Burns Library
referencedIn Programme, 1895 Mar 13 [manuscript] : Romeo et Juliette. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Lemmoné, John, 1861-1949. Collection of papers relating to Dame Nellie Melba [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn [Ross Collection of Theater Portraits] [graphic], [19--?] Bancroft Library
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Autograph letter signed : [n.p., n.d.], to a named but unidentified recipient, [n.d.]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Correspondence [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Watson, L. D. Papers [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Nicolas Slonimsky Collection, 1873-1997, (bulk 1920-1990) Library of Congress. Music Division
referencedIn Delibes, Léo, 1836-1891. Autograph letter signed : to an unidentified man, "lundi soir." Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. [Letters] [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Letter [manuscript] : to Mrs McEwan. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Zelman, Alberto, 1874-1927. Correspondence [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Davies, Fanny, 1861-1934. Autograph letters signed (22), dated : mostly [London], also Berlin, Bergamo, Rome, Baden-Baden, Paris, and Milan, [nearly all undated by year, some ca. 1886], to Mr. [Joseph] Bennett, 1886. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Davis, Herbert Nelson, 1899-1963. Papers. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie Dame, 1861-1931. Letter : London, to Mrs Robertson Grant, Kensington [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Theatre Royal (Adelaide, S. Aust.). Miscellaneous estrays relating to Dame Nellie Melba, circa 1920-circa 1929 [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie Dame, 1861-1931. Biographical file of information on Dame Nellie Melba [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Potter, Howard E. Papers, 1929-1961. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Cowen, Frederic H. (Frederic Hymen), Sir, 1852-1935. Autograph letters signed (94), dated : mostly [London, undated by year, some ca. 1886], also Manchester, 11 February 1897, Milan, Genoa, and Melbourne, to Mr. [Joseph] Bennett, 1899 Jan. 17 and 1888 Aug. 28 and 1886. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Priestley, Raymond. Letter [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Account book [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Stogdale, Muffy. Papers [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Letter [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Cochran, Tommy, b. 1877. Papers [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf McCall, Virginia,. Letters and photographs of musicians and actors, 1879-1950. Haverford College Library
creatorOf Jones, Cliff. Papers relating to Ethel Osborn [manuscript] / compiled by Cliff Jones. University of Queensland, UQ Library
referencedIn Moore, H. Byron (Henry Byron), 1839-1925. Papers. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Sloss, M. C. Sloss music collection, 1811-1947. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Melba, Nellie, Dame, 1861-1931. Letters [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
referencedIn Susan Groag Bell's, An Annotated bibliography of British Women's autobiographies, 1790-1950 :, research and reference materials, 1986-1998 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Aitken, Samuel, person
associatedWith Barkly, Henry Sir, 1815-1898. person
associatedWith Bell, Susan G. person
associatedWith Bell, Susan Groag person
correspondedWith Berkeley, Wilma, 1901-1984. person
associatedWith Best, Ailwyn. person
associatedWith Brookes, Dorothea. person
associatedWith Bruch, Max, 1838-1920. person
associatedWith Burnham Lord. person
correspondedWith Century Company corporateBody
associatedWith Cochrane, Thomas person
associatedWith Cochran, Tom. person
associatedWith Cochran, Tommy, b. 1877. person
associatedWith Cowen, Frederic H. (Frederic Hymen), Sir, 1852-1935. person
associatedWith Damrosch, Walter, 1862-1950, person
associatedWith Davies, Fanny, 1861-1934. person
associatedWith Davis, Herbert Nelson, 1899-1963. person
associatedWith Deering, F. P. (Frank P.), Mrs, person
associatedWith Delibes, Léo, 1836-1891. person
correspondedWith Dellenbaugh, Frederick Samuel, 1853-1935 person
associatedWith Edward Johnson Collection (University of Guelph) corporateBody
associatedWith Fairbairn, Anne. person
associatedWith Fandel Phillips Mrs person
associatedWith Fanning, Beryl. person
associatedWith Feder, Ray S. person
associatedWith Fleury, Louis, 1878-1926. person
associatedWith Gardner, Isabella Stewart, 1840-1924. person
associatedWith G. Damman & Co. corporateBody
associatedWith Harris, Augustus, Sir, 1852-1896. person
associatedWith Hart, Fritz Bennicke, 1874-1949. person
associatedWith Heifetz, Jascha, 1901- person
associatedWith Heifetz, Jascha, 1901-1987 person
associatedWith Himmer, Rudolph person
associatedWith Hollander, Graham. person
associatedWith Joachim, Joseph, 1831-1907. person
associatedWith Jones, Cliff. person
associatedWith Kerr-Pearse, Beauchamp. person
associatedWith Kerr-Pearse, Elizabeth. person
associatedWith Lang, B. J. (Benjamin Johnson), 1837-1909. person
associatedWith Lemmoné, John, 1861-1949. person
associatedWith Levy, Pauline Goodheim, person
associatedWith Lilydale Cemetery (Lilydale, Vic.) corporateBody
associatedWith London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Macdonald, Colin. person
associatedWith Maloney, Patrick. person
associatedWith Marston, Frances. person
associatedWith Mary Flagler Cary Music Collection (Pierpont Morgan Library) corporateBody
associatedWith Massenet, Jules, 1842-1912 person
associatedWith May, Sydney Lionel. person
associatedWith McCall, Virginia, person
associatedWith McCormack, John, 1884-1945. person
associatedWith McEwan Mrs. person
associatedWith McEwen, J. R. person
associatedWith Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music. corporateBody
associatedWith Meyer, E. Olga. person
associatedWith Moody, Stella. person
associatedWith Moore, H. Byron (Henry Byron), 1839-1925. person
associatedWith Musgrove, George, 1854-1916. person
associatedWith Orsova (Troopship) corporateBody
associatedWith Patterson, Gerald Leighton, 1895-1967. person
correspondedWith Perrin family. family
associatedWith Perry, Warren, 1909- person
associatedWith Phelan Mr. person
associatedWith Phelan Mr, Correspondence. person
associatedWith Phillips, Thea. person
associatedWith Podhragy, Leopold Baron. person
associatedWith Potter, Howard E person
associatedWith Potter, Howard E. person
correspondedWith Power, Stella, 1896-1977. person
associatedWith Priestley, Raymond. person
associatedWith Prime, Ernest. person
associatedWith Richter, Hans, 1843-1916. person
correspondedWith Robertson, George, 1860-1933. person
associatedWith Royal Historical Society of Victoria. corporateBody
associatedWith Russell, Henry. person
associatedWith Shield, Tom. person
associatedWith Slonimsky, Nicolas, 1894-1995 person
associatedWith Smithwick, Cedric Leslie. person
associatedWith Southwick, W.M.H. person
associatedWith Stanley, Margaret Lady, 1875-1964. person
associatedWith Stogdale, Muffy. person
correspondedWith Streeton, Arthur Sir, 1867-1943. person
associatedWith Sullivan, Arthur, Sir, 1842-1900. person
correspondedWith Sutherland, Margaret, 1897-1984. person
associatedWith Sydenham Lord person
associatedWith Tait, Charles. person
associatedWith Thayer, John Eldon, 1899-1980 person
associatedWith Thompson, John. person
associatedWith Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883. person
associatedWith Watson, L. D. person
associatedWith Webster, Beveridge, 1908-1999. person
associatedWith Zelman, Alberto, 1874-1927. person
associatedWith Zimbalist, Efrem, 1890-1985. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia--Sydney (N.S.W.)
Australia
Australia--Victoria
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia--Victoria
Australia--Melbourne (Vic.)
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Subject
Musicians
Singers
Singers
Music
Opera
Sopranos (Singers)
Sopranos (Singers)
Sopranos (Singers)
Sopranos (Singers)
Sopranos (Singers)
Occupation
Singers
Opera singers
Sopranos (Singers)
Activity

Person

Birth 1861-05-19

Death 1931-02-23

Australians

English,

French

Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w60001jd

Ark ID: w60001jd

SNAC ID: 9485066