Marvelous Melba: The Extraordinary Life of a Great Diva

by Ann Blainey

"Nobody sings like Melba, and nobody ever will," proclaimed the impresario Oscar Hammerstein in 1908. Like many others of his time, he considered her the world's greatest singer. The wild acclaim showered on her by American fans led to the coining of the word "Melbamania." Year after year she toured America on the "Melba" train, bringing opera and concerts to out-of-the-way cities and towns; thanks to the new gramophone, she could also be heard in the remotest locales. Ann Blainey's beguiling life of Nellie Melba tells the story of a woman who-in an era when no woman was prime minister, chief justice, head of a church or financial firm, or a universal film star-became perhaps the most famous woman in the world. Ms. Blainey's Marvelous Melba punctures many of the myths surrounding Melba's life and career, and offers a new portrait of the great diva.

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

The name Melba is familiar to many Australians, whether as Peach Melba, Melba toast or as a world famous and esteemed opera singer. This scholarly and thorough biography serves her well while being an entertaining read.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy reading about people from this time period. Melba, the opera star....never had heard of her before! This was very fascinating and I enjoyed learning more about this then, very famous person. The writing wasn't the most enthralling....however, I got through it!