DAME NELLIE MELBA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20610, 8 January 1929, Page 9

DAME NELLIE MELBA

SAVING OPERA FOR ENGLAND. ' , -\ APPEAL TO THE EMPIRE. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, January 6. (Received Jan. 7, at 6.5 p.m.) Dame Nellie Melba, when interviewed at her West End mansion, which was previously, the Duchess of ' Atholl's famous residence, stated: “I have been approached by Sir Thomas Beecham and many celebrities interested in music to assist Beecbam’a Opera League. . The first news I learned on arriving from Australia was that Covent Garden would be torn down in two years. This made me sad and I realised that something must be done, so when Sir Thomas Beecham approached me I was determined to co-operate with him to save opera for Britain, I am , therefore issuing an appeal throughout the Empire to help to save opera and I propose to work heart and soul and appeal with both hands. Let us commence a new era in music. If my artistic home, Govent Garden, is to be destroyed let us build a vast Empire. Opera House and ask the Government for subsidisation in order to bring Britain in lino with other nations. In joining forces with ; Sir Thomas Beecham I hope to realise my life’s dream of permanent opera, which will cutelasa anything m the world. I 'especially appeal to the dominions, where warm hearted Britishers will surely be the most willing to help in this first line of attack, as did their sons in war time. I do hope the Empire wilt help me in this wonderful work. There mav be thousands who have heard and loved my performances who will now rally round this grand banner. lam devoting my life to this scheme. Please don’t let us lag behind others.” Dame Melba’s scheme for a Paris conservatorium has been abandoned because she is now fully occupied co-operatin" with Sir Thomas Beecham. °