MELBA DEAD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 24 February 1931, Page 5

MELBA DEAD

AUSTRALIA’S GIFTED DAUGHTER REIGNING SOPRANO OF HER GENERATION A COURAGEOUS PASSING (United Press Association—By Electric TelegrapU—Copyright) SYDNEY, 23rcl February. Dame Nellie Melba passed away at 5 o’clock this afternoon at St. Vincent’s private hospital. By her death Australia loses her most prominent representative daughter and world singer, who followed Adelina Patti as the reigning operatic soprano of her generation and her century in Europe. ’J lie golden voice which inspired the world and the picturesque personality that charmed thousands have passed beyond. Her passing was as courageous and as fine as her public life. Her condition last night was extremely low. Towards morning the dying diva, who previously had refused to see a minister, murmured gently, “Get me a clergyman.” Canon Lea, of St. Alary’s, Darling Point, was summoned, and stayed some time praying with tier. By 10 a.m. she was beyond speech. Her pulse became more feeble and she waved farewells.

Outside the quiet room was John Lemmone, flautist, who has been her faithful friend and business manager for nearly 50 years. He waited patiently for the end. Dame Melba’s father, David Mitchell, a dogged old North Country Scotsman, came to Australia in 1857. He was a poor man then, but died a millionaire in 1916, aged 87 years. _ . Dame Melba, otherwise Nellie Mitchell, was born on 19th May, 1861, in Victoria. She came of musical parents. She married Captain Charles Armstrong, a son of an Irish baronet, in 1882. The union proved unhappy. There was a long separation and finally a divorce. There was one son, George. In her early teens Dame Melba studied at the organ, harmony, and composition. She was taught singing by Madame Lucy Chambers, a local celebrity who had sung opera in Italy. Later she studied in Melbourne under Signor Cecclii, an Italian tenor. She made her debut at Melbourne I own Hall in 1877. Darne Melba’s body will be sent by train to Melbourne to-morrow for interment at Lilydale cemetery. lie diva’s early life was spent at Coombo cottage, Lilydale, a picturesque resort 20 miles from the city, lhcre will oe a service at Scots Church, Collins street, Melbourne, and the burial will take place on Thursday. Among numerous messages of condolence received to-night by relatives were cables from the King And Queen and Viscount Novar, a former GovernorGeneral of Australia. The Governor, Sir Philip Game, expressed his deepest sympathy with Australians’ loss of such a gifted daughter. He said that the Empire and the world would mourn the death of a distinguished personage. . . , Tributes were also received from the Prime Minister, the Premier, and many prominent people in the musical vvoikl. “SIMPLY SUPREME”