DAME NELLIE MELBA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18565, 24 November 1923, Page 12

DAME NELLIE MELBA.

: GRAND -OPERA VENTURE. HOPES TO SING IK DOMINION The passing years seem Ito i a taken but little toll of Dame Nellie Melba, . who Arrived from the United States by ® B.M.S. Makura yesterday, for she bUU seems amazingly young and vital and the charming personality which has played on equal part with the flawless voice and her supreme artistry in establishing her as the great vocalist of . her day, stall makes its Bt^When P Dame Nellie stepped ■»' on to the deck of the Makura, came to an anchorage off SUntaJT yesterday morning, she binder light at the prospect of Auckland under the early morning sun, and although she oonfessed to a feeling of tiredness>jSier her strenuous American tour, the surprib ing youthfulness of her voice appeared to In discussing the Australian singers who are keeping open the track blazed by Melba herself she had much praise to bestow on Madame Austral, Who, she says, has one of the most divine of boagiven voices. • She is very proud that this singer is an Australian. A point that appealed to Melba was that a number of prominent and coming Australain artists are with the British National Opera Company, which she regards as a very fine, —regation of singers ho, through their sacrifice are keeping grand opera going. Melba explained that these artists pool the takings and if at the end of the season there is anything left to divide they receive their pay, but if there is no surplus they just go without. This she thought displayed a unique devotion to the art of music. Melba has. just completed a tour of the United States and Canada, during which 16 concerts were given in .five weeks. In that time she and her party lived on their special railway car. Owing to her inability, to obtain a suitable hall Melba will not be singing in Auckland, but she will give a series of concerts m Australia, after which she will devote her attention to preparing for the grand opera season which she will, inaugurate next March. , „ . , _ " This will be the biggest Grand Opera venture yet brought to Australia " said Melba. The principals will be principally French and Italian. One of the outstanding figures is Sigxiorina • Del Monte, an Italian and one of the finest coloratura artists in the world to-day. I know she is going to make an enormous career. I think we will open in Melbourne. in March. I have to prepare, the choruses ■ and have a tremendous : amount of work ahead-of me but) I just love it. If New Zealand can give us a sufficient guarantee, and mind you it will have to be something substantial, we may pay you a visit." Turning aside impulsively to embrace an " angel " aged two Dame Nellie asked that her love be conveyed "to the people of New Zealand.

LYCEUM CLUB WELCOME.

DEMONSTRATION AT THEATRE. v .., ,• .'•• . ..."*•

The members of the Auckland Lyceum Club held an At Heme at the club yesterday afternoon " when Dame Nellie Melba "was the guest of , honor. . The lounge, where the reception took place, was decorated with lovely flowers. The distinguished visitor was received by the president, Mrs.' W. H. ' Parkes, who voiced members' welcome, and their sincere wishes for her future '" happiness. Mrs. Partes presented Dame Melba with a bouquet of , gold and : purple flowers. In reply Dame Melba expressed her great joy in her return to the Southern Hemisphere. It Was her fervent hope that j later she would have the' pleasure of singing in New Zealand. After /tea had r "been .served musical items which were v much enjoyed ; were contributed by Miss Walker, who wing, .'The Lament .of Isis," Miss Lewis, Mate 0' . Mine,"' Miss -Etta Field, " Rifcorna Yincitia," Miss t Irene Ainsley, " Hatenera' " (Carmen), and " The Jewel Song," from Faust.' Mrs. Lewis and Mr. Cyril Towsey ' acted as accompanist®! A hearty welcome /was accorded; Dame Nellie Melba when she entered her bo* at His Majesty's Theatre last evening to witness Miss Gertrude V Elliott's' performance of "Woman Ito Woman." "Three large bouquets - were -placed :in Dame Melba's box prior to « her arrival, and when she noticed the gifts she smiled! her acknowledgment to the audience. At the conclusion of the - performance Dame Melba', threw one of the bouquets to Miss Elliott as a tribute to her acting, and her departure from the; theatre ; was the signal for another appreciative demon- i stration.