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Nellie, the life and loves of Dame Nellie Melba
AUSTRALIA'S FIRST INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTAR
When most Australians think of Nellie Melba they picture a squarish middle-aged woman dressed in furs and large hats, an imperious Dame whose voice ruled the world for three decades. But there was much more to her life than adulation and riches.
To succeed she had to overcome social expectations, misogyny and tall-poppy syndrome. She endured the violence of a bad marriage, was denied by scandal a true love with the would-be King of France, and suffered the loss of her only child for more than a decade, stolen by his angry and vengeful father.
Against all odds, Nellie Melba became the greatest opera singer of her time on stages across Australia, America and Europe.
When most Australians think of Nellie Melba they picture a squarish middle-aged woman dressed in furs and large hats, an imperious Dame whose voice ruled the world for three decades. But there was much more to her life than adulation and riches.
To succeed she had to overcome social expectations, misogyny and tall-poppy syndrome. She endured the violence of a bad marriage, was denied by scandal a true love with the would-be King of France, and suffered the loss of her only child for more than a decade, stolen by his angry and vengeful father.
Against all odds, Nellie Melba became the greatest opera singer of her time on stages across Australia, America and Europe.
344 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 27, 2021
‘Who was she?’
Dame Nellie Melba GBE (19 May 1861 – 23 February 1931) was an Australian operatic soprano. She was born Helen Porter Mitchell in Richmond and became one of the most famous singers of the late Victorian era and the early 20th century. She took the pseudonym ‘Melba’ from her hometown of Melbourne.
Before reading this book, my knowledge of Dame Nellie Melba was scant. But while I lack the gene necessary for appreciating operatic singing performances, I wanted to know more about Dame Nellie’s journey from colonial Australia to international stardom.
Mr Wainwright begins his biography with a prologue in March 1919, with a man sitting down to write a letter. We learn that this man, Louis-Philippe, Duc d’Orleans, was important to Dame Nellie and that this letter was found amongst her papers. An earlier liaison between them had resulted in a scandal that almost derailed her career. And then we return to the beginning.
I read of Nellie’s upbringing, of her unfortunate marriage to Charlie Armstrong and then her life living in Mackay in Queensland. I read of her poverty-stricken years as a student in Paris to Mathilde Marchesi, of her care for her son George. While her father gave her some money, he did not support her singing. And her husband Charlie Armstrong was truly awful. I read of hardship, hard work and determination. Perhaps it was no surprise that Nellie fell in love with Louis-Philippe, Duc d’Orleans (aspirant to the French throne).
Her life was full of both sadness and triumphs. She did not see her son for a decade after her husband took him. She lived in a society which had particular social expectations of women and in which men dominated.
I might not have the ear to appreciate her singing but I admire her determination and hard work. The images we see today, of a formidable looking woman wreathed in furs wearing a large hat, our knowledge of a dessert named in her honour, and of the Australianism 'More farewells than Dame Nellie Melba' convey an incomplete picture of a woman who triumphed against considerable odds.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Dame Nellie Melba GBE (19 May 1861 – 23 February 1931) was an Australian operatic soprano. She was born Helen Porter Mitchell in Richmond and became one of the most famous singers of the late Victorian era and the early 20th century. She took the pseudonym ‘Melba’ from her hometown of Melbourne.
Before reading this book, my knowledge of Dame Nellie Melba was scant. But while I lack the gene necessary for appreciating operatic singing performances, I wanted to know more about Dame Nellie’s journey from colonial Australia to international stardom.
Mr Wainwright begins his biography with a prologue in March 1919, with a man sitting down to write a letter. We learn that this man, Louis-Philippe, Duc d’Orleans, was important to Dame Nellie and that this letter was found amongst her papers. An earlier liaison between them had resulted in a scandal that almost derailed her career. And then we return to the beginning.
I read of Nellie’s upbringing, of her unfortunate marriage to Charlie Armstrong and then her life living in Mackay in Queensland. I read of her poverty-stricken years as a student in Paris to Mathilde Marchesi, of her care for her son George. While her father gave her some money, he did not support her singing. And her husband Charlie Armstrong was truly awful. I read of hardship, hard work and determination. Perhaps it was no surprise that Nellie fell in love with Louis-Philippe, Duc d’Orleans (aspirant to the French throne).
Her life was full of both sadness and triumphs. She did not see her son for a decade after her husband took him. She lived in a society which had particular social expectations of women and in which men dominated.
I might not have the ear to appreciate her singing but I admire her determination and hard work. The images we see today, of a formidable looking woman wreathed in furs wearing a large hat, our knowledge of a dessert named in her honour, and of the Australianism 'More farewells than Dame Nellie Melba' convey an incomplete picture of a woman who triumphed against considerable odds.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
January 8, 2023
Robert Wainwright has written a readable story of the Nellie Melba’s crucial years in Europe when she became the world’s leading soprano from obscure beginnings on the other side of the world here in Melbourne. As described in the subtitle, the book is strong on details about her private life, particularly her affair with the Philippe the Duc d’Orleans and heir to the French throne following her marriage to an abusive and violent husband. Somewhat disappointingly, the book provides less background about her artistic life. While we find out that Melba preferred Italian opera to Wagner (and indeed Brunhilde was one of her rare failures in a role), Wainwright does not shed light on her technique, style or the unique qualities that made her stand out from her peers. I suspect that as a purveyor of popular biographies Wainwright has limited interest in opera music itself.
I’m hard pressed to call the book a ‘biography’ as the bulk of the book focuses on 17 years from the time she arrived in Europe in 1886 and began singing lessons with Madam Marchesi, her triumphant debut in Brussels within 18 months of arriving in Paris, her domination of concert stages around the world in the late-nineteenth century and her return to Australia in 1902. Wainwright tops and tails this with brief biographical details about the first 25 years and final 30 years of her life. The 17 years covered in detail are clearly the crucial years of her artistic life and to tell the truth, while I think that the biography is a fairly pedestrian effort, it is probably as much as I’ll ever want to read about Nellie Melba.
I’m hard pressed to call the book a ‘biography’ as the bulk of the book focuses on 17 years from the time she arrived in Europe in 1886 and began singing lessons with Madam Marchesi, her triumphant debut in Brussels within 18 months of arriving in Paris, her domination of concert stages around the world in the late-nineteenth century and her return to Australia in 1902. Wainwright tops and tails this with brief biographical details about the first 25 years and final 30 years of her life. The 17 years covered in detail are clearly the crucial years of her artistic life and to tell the truth, while I think that the biography is a fairly pedestrian effort, it is probably as much as I’ll ever want to read about Nellie Melba.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2021
Reading this lively biography of Australia's first international superstar, Dame Nellie Melba, made me realise how far society has come in just over a century. Whether we browse the so-called women's magazines at the hairdresser with bemusement, read the scandal rag headlines surreptitiously in the checkout queue, or just puzzle over the #TwitterHashtags that are trending — celebrity culture is all around us. Paradoxically, because we are inured to it, it takes a good deal to scandalise us, and it enhances some careers rather than otherwise.
But it was a different world when Nellie Melba was forging her international career. Scandal in high society could be disastrous in all sorts of contexts, more so in stuffy turn-of-the-century London than more tolerant Paris. Europe, however, had its own political minefields for a naïve Australian to negotiate when she (imprudently married to a wife-basher called Charles Armstrong) embarked on an affair with a playboy claimant to the French throne.
I have previously read Ann Blainey's authoritative biography of Melba and enjoyed it for its insights into the talent, initiative and determination of this Australian musical icon. But, as you can tell from the blurb, Robert Wainwright's bio has a different emphasis...
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2021/10/16/n...
But it was a different world when Nellie Melba was forging her international career. Scandal in high society could be disastrous in all sorts of contexts, more so in stuffy turn-of-the-century London than more tolerant Paris. Europe, however, had its own political minefields for a naïve Australian to negotiate when she (imprudently married to a wife-basher called Charles Armstrong) embarked on an affair with a playboy claimant to the French throne.
I have previously read Ann Blainey's authoritative biography of Melba and enjoyed it for its insights into the talent, initiative and determination of this Australian musical icon. But, as you can tell from the blurb, Robert Wainwright's bio has a different emphasis...
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2021/10/16/n...
March 24, 2022
I had never given much thought to Nellie Melba and am so glad I read this book as I now know so much more about her life, struggles, triumphs. Nor am I an avid lover of opera but this story is more than that of an opera star.
An easy to read, fascinating recounting of her life this book encompasses her early life and her desire to not be told what to do, particularly by men. Her marriage to Charlie Armstrong was opposed by her father who then wished her to stay married and become a good wife and not follow her dream of a singing career.
Thanks to her determination the world got to know her wonderful voice, yet few people knew of the violence or emotional cruelty her husband forced upon her. His taking their son away supposedly for a year which stretched to over a decade was cruel and vindictive, done by a man who was jealous of his wife’s success and only wanted her for the money she could provide.
She found happiness with her lover Prince Phillipe but this was for the most part kept secret although she was a favourite of the royal family. She found fame, fortune and success as she predicted she would due to her fierce independence and determination. A truly strong woman who was a true feminist
An easy to read, fascinating recounting of her life this book encompasses her early life and her desire to not be told what to do, particularly by men. Her marriage to Charlie Armstrong was opposed by her father who then wished her to stay married and become a good wife and not follow her dream of a singing career.
Thanks to her determination the world got to know her wonderful voice, yet few people knew of the violence or emotional cruelty her husband forced upon her. His taking their son away supposedly for a year which stretched to over a decade was cruel and vindictive, done by a man who was jealous of his wife’s success and only wanted her for the money she could provide.
She found happiness with her lover Prince Phillipe but this was for the most part kept secret although she was a favourite of the royal family. She found fame, fortune and success as she predicted she would due to her fierce independence and determination. A truly strong woman who was a true feminist
April 25, 2022
Nellie Melba was at her time probably the best known Australian.
Still it does not make an interesting story.
I think, that life of popular performers are not necessarily good material for a book.
It may be easier with writers, composers, painters as their creations involve many aspects of history and culture. In the case of performers the main thing remaining are headlines in newspapers - successes, falls, scandals.
Having this in mind I acknowledge, competence and good taste of the author of the biography.
In the case of Lady Melba, there was basically one personal factor influencing her life - ill-matched marriage with Charlie Armstrong. It put long shadow on her life - especially the struggle for control over future of their son.
The other strong theme was her relation with Philippe, Duc d'Orleans - pretendent to the French throne.
This story I classify to the category of gossip, but I understand author's temptation to expand this theme.
Still it does not make an interesting story.
I think, that life of popular performers are not necessarily good material for a book.
It may be easier with writers, composers, painters as their creations involve many aspects of history and culture. In the case of performers the main thing remaining are headlines in newspapers - successes, falls, scandals.
Having this in mind I acknowledge, competence and good taste of the author of the biography.
In the case of Lady Melba, there was basically one personal factor influencing her life - ill-matched marriage with Charlie Armstrong. It put long shadow on her life - especially the struggle for control over future of their son.
The other strong theme was her relation with Philippe, Duc d'Orleans - pretendent to the French throne.
This story I classify to the category of gossip, but I understand author's temptation to expand this theme.
October 19, 2021
Whilst I knew of Dame Nellie Melba, I didn't know about her life nor the intricacies of her career. Such a fascinating account of a woman with ambitions and drive that far surpassed her time. Fantastic read - formidable woman!
March 9, 2022
An interesting read about Dame Nellie Melba’s life, particularly her early life. She was certainly a brave and courageous woman to overcome the prejudices of the time to become so successful. She was probably one of the first super star celebrities.
November 6, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed it. Having a connection with her home Coombe cottage and meeting some of her descendants it was a wonderful collection of Melba's life not known
November 16, 2021
Loved this insight into Australia's biggest star.
January 6, 2022
Nellie, a truly amazing woman for her time.
Read
February 2, 2022Well worth reading
June 6, 2022
I enjoyed this biography of Nellie Melba and her triumphs as the world’s first ‘superstar’.
August 20, 2023
Learn so much about that era in history, politics and customs.
November 8, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. Learnt a lot about Dame Nellie Melba and her story. Well written and easy to read - like a biography novel in places.
December 31, 2021
Rating is 3.5
A great read following the life of Dame Nellie Melba. If you are interested in learning about her life this is a good starting point. The book is well researched and covers many aspects of her life.
A great read following the life of Dame Nellie Melba. If you are interested in learning about her life this is a good starting point. The book is well researched and covers many aspects of her life.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews