Dame Nellie Melba, an Australian icon

Maria Vandamme delivers a discourse on the character, career and cultural significance of Dame Nellie Melba for Knowledge Cities Summit. Significantly, Melba's father, David Mitchell, was one of the great builders of 'Marvellous Melbourne'. His daughter Nellie Mitchell went on to become the undisputed queen of international opera, ruling the field for forty years but always retaining a loyalty to the land that had offered her family so much opportunity.

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*Explains a lot. My grandmother, born in 1918, named my mom Melba. Then my mom named me Melba and I named my daughter Melba as well. My maiden name is Mitchell as well. Crazy as it sounds, I use to work at a bread factory that made Melba toast. And to top it off I'm a little song bird myself.*

[@DBobbyscomedynews]

Very interesting. Nellie Melba was related to my Great Grandmother. They were cousins. Melba is written up in my family tree. Ruth Mitchell's ( Broadway producer and stage manager) mother and my grandmother were first cousins. Ruth Mitchell is also written in my family tree and was related to Nellie Melba. I wonder if you and I are related.

[@MelbaElena]

Never knew why my parents gave me this name in a 1956's andean city, Bogotá, where probably this singer was knew for a few or no people. But I'm glad with that :)

[@baritonebynight]

Its interesting that Dame Nellie Melba gave her farewell at Covent Garden in 1926, the same years that our dear Dame Joan was born.

[@illaha890]

I have read a book about her it’s really good for kids and adults

[@dennis12dec]

Dame Nellie Melba is also featured on the Australian $100 Dollar banknote.

[@davouchi1]

Anyone else here after looking at a 100 bill

[@emersonlewis1623]

A reinbodyment of Melb is Amira Hagen