1900

January
After her debut concert in Vienna, Melba was summoned to sing at the Imperial Opera House. She sang La Traviata and Mad Scene from Lucia di Lammermoor. (Vestey, Melba: A Family Memoir p102.)

January
The day after her performance at the Imperial Opera House, Emperor Franz Joseph awarded Melba the Imperial Warrant of Court Singer. (Thompson/ McPherson, Melba Important Dates p7.)

January
Melba gave a concert and opera performance at Leipzig. (Vestey, Melba: A Family Memoir p102.)

January
Melba sang La Traviata in Monte Carlo. (Vestey, Melba: A Family Memoir p102.)

December 18
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as Juliette in Romeo et Juliette. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

December 22
Melba appeared at matinee at the Metropolitan Opera House as Juliette in Romeo et Juliette. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

December 26
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as Mimi in La Boheme. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

December 29
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as Mimi in La Boheme. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

1901

January 4
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as Marguerite in Faust. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

January 11
Melba appeared in a matinee at the Metropolitan Opera House as Mimi in La Boheme. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

January 16
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as the Infanta in Le Cid. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

January 19
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as the Infanta in Le Cid. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

January 28
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as the Queen in Les Huguenots. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

January 30
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as Juliette in Romeo et Juliette. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

February 9
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as Gilda in Rigoletto. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

February 18
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

February 24
Melba gave a concert at the Metropolitan Opera House and performed ‘Nymphs et Sylvains’ by Bemberg; Mad Scene, Lucia di Lammermoor; Quartet from Rigoletto. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

March 2
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House. Performance not stated. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

March 9
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as Juliette in Romeo et Juliette. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

March 11
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as the Queen in Les Huguenots. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

March 16
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as Violetta in La Traviata. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

March 18
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as Mimi in La Boheme. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

March 22
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as Gilda in Rigoletto. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

April 29
Melba appeared at a concert at the Metropolitan Opera House and performed the Mad Scene, Lucia di Lammermoor. (Radic, Melba p189-191)

August
Melba visited Dublin to sing in a charity concert. (Thompson/ McPherson, Melba Important Dates p8.)

1902

February In Monte Carlo, Melba first sang La Boheme with Caruso. (Thompson/ McPherson, Melba Important Dates p8.)

Melba’s Australian Tour 1902 – 1903

Tuesday, September 15
Melba expected at Moreton Bay on board the Miowera. (Brisbane Courier Mail, Sept 18, 1902.)

Wednesday, September 17
Melba arrives at Moreton Bay then trains to Brisbane and spends night at the Gresham Hotel. (Brisbane Courier Mail, Sept 18, 1902.)

Thursday, September 18
Left Brisbane for Sydney early in the morning. (Brisbane CourierMail, Sept 18, 1902.)

Friday, September 19
Arrived in Sydney to tremendous reception. Due to meet with former PLC students but cancelled due to the ship’s delayed arrival. (Argus, Sept 20, 1902.)

Saturday, September 20
Melba arrived at Spencer Street, Melbourne to a tremendous welcome. (Argus, Sept 22, 1902.)

Tuesday, September 23
Melba attended Presbyterian Ladies’ College reception with old school chums. (Table Talk, Sept 25, 1902.) Report of reception from Patchwork, PLC`s magazine.

Wednesday, September 24
Melba’s first concert scheduled in Melbourne Town Hall was cancelled due to late arrival. (Melbourne Leader, Sept 27, 1902.)

Thursday, September 25
Melba attended a special performance of Sweet Nell starring Miss Nellie Stewart as Melba wanted to see her on stage. (Melbourne Leader, Sept 27, 1902.)

Saturday, September 27
Melba’s first Melbourne concert in Melbourne Town Hall. (Argus, Sept 29, 1902.)

Tuesday, September 30
Melba’s second Melbourne Concert in Melbourne Town Hall. (Argus, Oct 1, 1902.)

Wednesday, October 1
Afternoon reception at the Melbourne Conservatorium. (Table Talk, Oct 2, 1902.)

Thursday, October 2
Third Melbourne Concert in Melbourne Town Hall. (Argus, Oct 3, 1902.)

Friday, October 3
Melba visited the Melbourne Hospital and donated a 100 pound cheque. (Argus, October 4, 1902.)

Saturday, October 4
Melba’s fourth Melbourne Concert in Melbourne Town Hall. (Argus, Oct 6, 1902.)

Sunday, October 5
Melba entertained friends at Myoora. The friends included General and Lady Hutton, Lord Richard Nevill, Commander and Mrs Collins and Miss Bush. (Table Talk, October 9, 1902)

Monday, October 6
Presentation to Melba by the Victorian Musical Profession at W. H. Glea & Co’s rooms, Collins St. (Argus, Oct 9, 1902/Table Talk Oct 9, 1902.)

Monday, October 6
Lady Madden’s At Home for Melba at Cloyne. (Wife of Sir John Madden, Victorian Chief Justice from 1887 to 1913). (Table Talk, Oct 9, 1902.)

Tuesday, October 7
Melba’s fifth and final concert in Melbourne Town Hall. Melba hosted a supper for 40 people at Myoora after the concert. (Argus, Oct 8, 1902.)

Wednesday, October 8
Command Afternoon by the Governor-General and Lady Tennyson for Mademoiselle Sassoli, included Melba. (Table Talk, Oct 16, 1902.)

Wednesday, October 8
Conversazione Reception for Melba hosted by the Mayor and Mayoress Sir Samuel and Lady Gillott at the Melbourne Town Hall. (Argus, October 9, 1902.)

Thursday, October 9
Melba left Melbourne for Sydney. (Argus, Oct 10, 1902.)

Friday, October 10
Melba arrived in Sydney at midday. (Sydney Morning Herald, Oct 11, 1902.)

Saturday, October 11
First concert in Sydney Town Hall. (Sydney Morning Herald, Oct 13, 1902.)

Tuesday, October 14
Second concert in Sydney Town Hall. (Sydney Morning Herald, Oct 15, 1902.)

Thursday, October 16
Third Sydney concert scheduled but cancelled due to relaxed throat. (Sydney Morning Herald, Oct 16, 1902.)

Friday, October 17
Mayoress of Sydney Mrs Thomas Hughes held a reception for Melba at the Sydney Town Hall. (Punch, Oct 23, 1902.)

Saturday, October 18
Melba’s fourth Sydney concert scheduled but cancelled due to relaxed throat. (Sydney Morning Herald, Oct 16, 1902.)

Monday, October 20
Melba’s Third Sydney concert held in Sydney Town Hall. (Sydney Morning Herald, Oct 21, 1902.)

Friday, October 24
Melba’s fourth concert at Sydney Town Hall and left for Brisbane. (Sydney Morning Herald, Oct 24, 1902.)

Saturday, October 25
Arrived in Brisbane in the evening and was welcomed by the Minister for Agriculture and the Mayor. (Argus, Oct 27, 1902.)

Monday, October 27
Melba’s First Brisbane concert. (Brisbane Courier Mail, Oct 28, 1902.)

October 27
Melba Australian concert tour, 1902. Program of her first Queensland concert held in the Exhibition Hall, Brisbane. (Queensland Library Collection.)

Wednesday, October 29
Melba’s Second Brisbane concert. (Brisbane Courier Mail, Oct 29, 1902.)

Thursday, October 30
Punch announces Melba will sing opera in Melbourne. Called recitals will feature scenes from three operas supported by a company and scenery. (Punch, Oct 30, 1902.)

November 1
Melba attended the Derby as the guest of the Governor-General and Lady Tennyson. (Weekly Times, Nov 8, 1902.)

Monday, November 3
Melba formed a drought fund and appealed to wealthy Europeans and Americans to donate funds. (Argus, Nov 3, 1902.)

Monday, November 3
Melba attended the Cup Eve dance at Government-house hosted by Acting Governor-General and Lady Tennyson. (Argus, Nov 4, 1902.)

Tuesday, November 4
Melbourne Cup Day. Melba did not attend due to the heat and her concert the following night. (Weekly Times, Nov 8, 1902.)

November 5
Melba’s letter withdrawing her Melba fund and urging people to donate to the Mayor’s fund. (Argus, Nov 5, 1902.)

Wednesday, November 5
Special Cup Week concert at the Melbourne Town Hall under the baton of Herr Slapoffski. (Argus, Nov 5, 1902.)

Thursday, November 6
Reception at State Government House by Governor and Lady Clarke. (Argus, Nov 7, 1902.)

Friday, November 7
Melba travelled by train to Yering to stay at St Hubert’s. (Argus, Nov 10, 1902.)

Saturday, November 8
Public reception in Lilydale and at Cave Hill and returned to Myoora in the evening. (Argus, Nov 10, 1902.)

Monday, November 10
Melba left Melbourne by express train and was officially welcomed by the Mayor of Ballarat. (Register, Nov 11, 1902.)

Tuesday, November 11
Melba arrived in Adelaide in the morning. (Register, Nov 11, 1902.)

Tuesday, November 11
Melba stayed at the York Hotel in Adelaide. (Register, Nov 13, 1902.)

Wednesday, November 12
First Adelaide Concert. (Register, Nov 13, 1902.)

Thursday, November 13
Visited the Children’s Hospital. (Register, Nov 17, 1902.)

Saturday, November 15
Second Adelaide Concert. (Register, Nov 17, 1902.)

Sunday, November 16
Melba drove to Marble Hill and spent the day as guest of the Lieutenant Governor Sir Samuel Way. (Register, Nov 17, 1902.)

Sunday, November 16
In the evening Melba dined at Government House. (Register, Nov 17, 1902.)

Monday, November 17
Melba left on an express train for Melbourne. (Register, Nov 17, 1902.)

Tuesday, November 18
Melba presented the Alliance Francaise awards at the Independent Hall, Russell Street. (Argus, Nov 19, 1902.)

Saturday, November 22
First Grand Opera performance at Princess’s Theatre, Melbourne. (Argus, Nov 10, 1902.)

Wednesday, November 26
Second Grand Opera performance at Princess’s Theatre Melbourne. (Argus, Nov 10, 1902.)

Friday, November 28
Melba attended the Bijou Theatre to see the final performance of A Message from Mars. (Argus, Nov 27, 1902.)

Saturday, November 29
Third Grand Opera performance at Princess’s Theatre, Melbourne was postponed due to Melba’s fatigue. (Argus, Nov 29, 1902.)

Monday, December 1
Melba visited Ormond College of Music in Melbourne. (Punch, Dec 4, 1902.)

Wednesday, December 3
Re-scheduled Third Grand Opera performance at the Princess’s Theatre. (Argus, Nov 29, 1902.)

Thursday, December 4
Melba and the company left by train for Sydney in the evening. (Sydney Morning Herald, Dec 5, 1902.)

Saturday, December 6
First Grand Opera performances in Theatre Royal, Sydney. (Punch, Dec 4, 1902/Sydney Morning Herald, Dec 8, 1902.)

Tuesday, December 9
Melba appeared at Sydney Town Hall to hear the 1,000 children prepare for a concert for the Martinque Disaster Appeal. (Sydney Morning Herald, Dec 10, 1902.)

Wednesday, December 10
Second Grand Opera performances in Theatre Royal, Sydney. (Punch, Dec 4, 1902/ Sydney Morning Herald, Dec 8, 1902.)

Saturday, December 13
Third Grand Opera performances in Theatre Royal, Sydney. (Punch, Dec 4, 1902/Sydney Morning Herald, Dec 8, 1902.)

Saturday, December 20
Melba gave farewell dinner at Myoora for Captain Wallington. (Argus, Dec 26, 1902.)

Tuesday, December 23
Melba arrived by Special train at 2.30pm and rested at Craig’s Hotel before the evening concert at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Ballarat. (Ballarat Courier, Dec 18, /Dec 24,1902.)

Thursday, December 25
Melba spent Christmas with her family.

Monday, December 29
Melba arrived in Warrnambool by express train.(Argus, Dec 31, 1902.)

Tuesday, December 30
Melba gave a concert in the Warrnambool Town Hall. (Warrnambool Standard, Dec 30, 1902.)

Wednesday, December 31
Melba returned to Melbourne by the morning train from a concert at Warrnambool. (Warrnambool Standard, Dec 30, 1902.)

1903

Tuesday, January 6
Melba and her concert party left Melbourne on the RMS Oruba for Western Australia. (Argus, Jan 7, 1903.)

Monday, January 12
Melba arrived in Fremantle and went to Perth and received a great reception. (Argus, Jan 13, 1903.)

January 13
Report Melba’s Kalgoolie concert cancelled (no date given). (West Australian Jan 13, 1903.)

January 13
Melba’s first concert. (West Australian, Jan 14, 1903.) January 14 Wednesday. interview with Melba at Esplanade Hotel. (West Australian, Jan 15 1903.)

Wednesday, January 14
Melba serenaded by a local quartet outside the Esplanade Hotel. (West Australian, Jan 15, 1903.)

Thursday, January 15
Melba’s second concert. (West Australian, Jan 16, 1903.)

Thursday, January 15
Melba commissioned Tom Roberts to paint her portrait. Sitting will be done in London. (Argus, Jan 15, 1903.)

Friday, January 16
One more concert was organised. (West Australian, Jan 16, 1903.) January 17 Saturday. Advertisement postponing extra concert. Re-scheduled for Jan 20. (West Australian, Jan 16, 1903.)

January 18
Melba sailed on the Swan River to Fremantle. (West Australian, Jan 19, 1903.)

Monday, January 19
Melba planted a tree in the park to commemorate her visit at the invitation of Sir John Forrest President of the Perth Park Board. (Argus Jan 20, 1903)

Monday, January 19
Reception held at Town Hall for visiting state and federal politicians. Melba attended. (West Australian, Jan 20, 1903.)

Tuesday, January 20
Melba’s third concert at Queen’s Hall. (West Australian, Jan 21, 1903.)

Wednesday, January 21
Melba’s final farewell concert in Perth. (Argus, Jan 20. 1903.)

January 22
Melba left Fremantle for Melbourne on board the Omrah. (West Australian, Jan 23, 1903.)

Saturday, January 31
Benefit concert for Armes Beaumont – Melbourne Town Hall. (Argus, Jan 5, 1903.)

Friday, February 6
Melba held an At Home at Myoora in Toorak. (Argus Feb 7, 1902)

Tuesday, February 10
Arrived in Launceston after a rough crossing on the SS Coogee. (Argus, Feb 13, 1903.)

Wednesday, February 11
Rested all day but unable to give the concert on Thursday. (Argus, Feb 13, 1903.)

Thursday, February 12
Concert at the Albert-hall. Launceston cancelled. (Argus, Feb 13, 1903.)

Thursday, February 12
In the afternoon, left Launceston for Hobart by train. (Argus, Feb 13, 1903.)

Friday, February 13
Melba boarded the Moeraki and left Hobart for New Zealand. (Argus, Feb 13, 1903.)

1904

February 18
Appeared as Hélène in world premier of Helene by Saint-Saêns at Monte Carlo. (Radic p60.)

June 20
The London debut of Saint Seans’ Helene. (Radic Melba, p111.)

July
Melba’s first recordings released in London under her special lilac label. The records sold out in days. (Thompson/ McPherson, Melba: Important Dates p8.)

December 16
Melba appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House as Mimi in La Boheme. (Radic, Melba p189-191.)

1907

January 2
Melba first appeared at Oscar Hammerstein’s Manhattan Opera in role of Violetta in La Traviata. Returned each year until 1910. (Thompson/ McPherson, Melba: Important Dates p8.)

January 11
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Gilda in Rigoletto. (Radic, Melba p191.)

January 19
Melba appeared in a matinee at the Manhattan Opera House as Violetta in La Traviata. (Radic, Melba p191.)

January 28
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor. (Radic, Melba p191.)

January 31
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Gilda in Rigoletto. (Radic, Melba p191.)

February 8
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Marguerite in Faust. (Radic, Melba p191.)

February 14
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Gilda in Rigoletto. (Radic, Melba p191.)

February 16
Melba appeared at a matinee at the Manhattan Opera House as Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor. (Radic, Melba p191.)

February 23
Melba appeared at a matinee at the Manhattan Opera House as Violetta in La Traviata. (Radic, Melba p191.)

February 25
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Gilda in Rigoletto. (Radic, Melba p191.)

March 1
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Mimi in La Boheme. (Radic, Melba p191.)

March 6
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Mimi in La Boheme. (Radic, Melba p191.)

March 11
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Mimi in La Boheme. (Radic, Melba p191.)

March 20
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Gilda in Rigoletto. (Radic, Melba p191.)

March 25
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Mimi in La Boheme. (Radic, Melba p191.)

November 23
Melba’s First Concert at Melbourne Town Hall. (Thompson/ McPherson, Melba: Important Dates p9.)

December 10
Melba’s First Concert in Sydney Town Hall. (Thompson/ McPherson, Melba: Important Dates p9.)

December 21
George Allan organised a Melba Concert at the Melbourne Exhibition Buildings. More than 8,000 people attended in the building that had been built by her father in 1879-1880. (Thompson/ McPherson, Melba: Important Dates p9.)

1908

December 17
Melba appeared at the Philadelphia Opera House with the Manhattan Opera Company as Mimi in La Boheme. (Radic, Melba p191.)

December 14
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Mimi in La Boheme. (Radic, Melba p191.)

December 19
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Mimi in La Boheme. (Radic, Melba p191.)

December 23
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Mimi in La Boheme. (Radic, Melba p191.)

December 25
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Desdemona in Otello. (Radic, Melba p191.)

December 29

Melba appeared at the Philadelphia Opera House with the Manhattan Opera Company as Mimi in La Boheme. (Radic, Melba p191.)

1909

January 1
Melba appeared at a matinee at the Philadelphia Opera House with the Manhattan Opera Company as Violetta in La Traviata. (Radic, Melba p191.)

January 2
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Desdemona in Otello. (Radic, Melba p191.)

January 4
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Desdemona in Otello. (Radic, Melba p191.)

January 11
Melba appeared at the Manhattan Opera House as Gilda in Rigoletto. (Radic, Melba p191)
March 9
Melba started touring Australian outback towns in a sentimental tour. Followed by a New Zealand tour. (Thompson/ McPherson, Melba: Important Dates p9.)

November 17
Melba bought a property of a house and 60 acres near Lilydale, Victoria and called it Coombe Cottage. (Thompson/ McPherson, Melba: Important Dates p9.)

November 26
Melba has laid the foundation stone for the Melbourne University Conservatorium of Music. (Thompson/ McPherson, Melba: Important Dates p9.)