Countries | Austria
In January 1900 Melba had an engagement to sing in Vienna. After a successful debut in concert, she was summoned to sing before the ageing Emperor Franz Joseph at the Imperial Opera House. The rule that only German should be sung was waived; Traviata was performed in French, followed by Melba singing the mad scene from Lucia di Lammermoor.
The Emperor granted her an interview, conferring upon Melba the award of the Imperial Warrant of Court Singer. The old monarch thanked her for the rare pleasure her singing had given him. He had not been to the theatre since the assassination of his beautiful wife, the Empress Elizabeth. (1)
The only other recorded visit Melba made to Austria was in the summer of 1930 after her trip to Egypt. Despite her ill health following the trip Melba was determined to keep active and interested, and arranged a visit to Germany and Austria, to listen to the wonderful music of those countries. (2)
(1) Vestey Pamela, Melba A Family Memoir, Pamela Vestey, Coldstream, 2000. pg 102.
(2) Op. cit. pg 239.
Online Shop
Purchase books, CDs, photographs and other merchandise
Share Your Information with the Museum!
Email us your info (and images) to:
[email protected]
Our home is the Old Lilydale Court House:
61 Castella Street, Lilydale 3140
Hours of opening:
By appointment only:
Fridays 1 to 4pm and Saturdays to Mondays 11am to 4pm.
Sundays are preferred.
Closed Public Holidays
Nellie Melba Museum
Contact Details:
Sue Thompson: 0475 219 884
Email: [email protected]
Share your info with us:
[email protected]
Our home is the Old Lilydale Court House:
61 Castella Street, Lilydale 3140
Hours of opening:
By Appointment only:
Fridays 1 to 4pm and Saturdays to Mondays 11am to 4pm.
Sundays are preferred.
Closed Public Holidays
Nellie Melba Museum
Contact Details:
Sue Thompson: 0475 219 884
[email protected]
Nellie Melba Museum
Contact Details:
Sue Thompson: 0475 219 884
[email protected]
Our home is the Old Lilydale Court House:
61 Castella Street, Lilydale 3140
Hours of opening:
By appointment only:
Fridays 1 to 4pm and Saturdays to Mondays 11am to 4pm.
Sundays are preferred.
Closed Public Holidays
Share Your Information
with Nellie Melba Museum!
Sue Thompson: 0475 219 884
[email protected]