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Dame Nellie Melba was, during her lifetime, almost larger than life.
Her glorious voice dazzled audiences in Australia, England and the USA. Her flamboyant lifestyle gave her the reputation of diva, which she cultivated extravagantly.
When her presence was not sufficiently written about during one return visit to Australia, she chastised a newspaper editor with:
' I don't care what you say, for me or against me, but for heaven's sake say something about me'.
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Born Helen Porter Mitchell, Melba took her name from her hometown, Melbourne. She left Australia to study opera at the age of 25, returning triumphantly in 1902 to tour, and then again in 1909, when she travelled over 10,000 miles through many smaller centres in Australia and New Zealand. The audiences were ecstatic.
Nellie's tough will and extraordinary self-confidence made her an ambivalent hero of national identity. Australian's loved - and loved to criticise - their most flamboyant 'tall poppy'
Source: Booklet accompanying the 1996 Masterpieces in Silver - Shaping a National Identity - Set.
Dame Nellie Melba is featured on the following Australian coins:
1996 Five Dollars
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Copyright © 2001-07 Australian Stamp & Coin Coy Pty. Ltd.
Last modified: 05 December, 2007
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