Introduction

Despite her early lack of in-depth knowledge of languages, when in Europe, Melba worked tirelessly to learn and master French, German and Italian, an achievement audiences around the world recognised and applauded.

Melba studied roles in 26 operas, some of which she was fortunate to be able to work with the composer to give her a greater understanding of the role and what the composer wanted to achieve.

Melba herself wrote:

The study of the French, German and Italian languages, so necessary to the operatic artist, is always more thoroughly carried out in the countries where they are the native tongue. The chances to study under the most famous masters, and the opportunities to hear the greatest works interpreted by the greatest artists, are also comparatively easy and numerous in Europe.

Reference: A.G. Murphy, Melba: A Biography in the section Melba’s Advice on the selection of Music as a Profession p 322.

Melba’s Repertoire

Melba’s operatic repertoire was extensive, with her most famous role being Mimi in La Boheme.

Her roles and the operas were:

1. Aida  – Aida (Verdi) – View images
2. Brünnhilde – Siegfried (Wagner) – No identified images
3. Desdemona – Otello (Verdi) – View images
4. Elaine – Elaine (Bemberg) – View images
5. Elisabeth – Tannhäuser (Wagner) – View images
6. Elsa – Lohengrin (Wagner) – No identified images
7. Esmeralda – Esmeralda (Goring Thomas) – No identified images
8. Gilda – Rigoletto (Verdi) – View images
9. Hélène – Hélène (Saint Saëns) – View images
10. Juliette – Romeo et Juliette (Gounod) – View images
11. Lakmé – Lakmé (Debiles) – View images
12. Leonora – Il Travatore (Verdi) – No identified images
13. La Infanta – Le Cid (Massenet) – No identified images
14. Lucia – Lucia di Lammermoor (Donezetti) – View images
15. Manon – Manon (Massenet) – View images
16. Marguerite – La Damnation of Faust * (Berlioz) – No identified images
17. Marguerite – Faust (Gounod) – View images
18. Marguerita de Valois – Les Hugenots (Meyerbeer) – No identified images
19. Micaela – Carmen (Bizet) – View images
20. Mimi – La Bohème (Puccini) – View images
21. Nedda – I Pagliacci (Leoncavello) – View images
22. Ophelia – Hamlet (Thomas) – View images
23. Rosina – Barber of Seville (Rossini) – View images
24. Semiramide – Semiramide (Rossini) – View images
25. Violetta – La Traviata (Verdi) – View images
26. Luisa – I Rantzau (Mascagni) – No identified images

Links to the composers