MELBA (Dame Nellie, 1861-1931, Australian Soprano)

Fine Royal Cabinet photo by Reutlinger signed and inscribed to "Mrs Duff from her sincere friend" and dated, showing her full length wearing a dress with a magnificent rufffled collar and a hat, 7½" x 5", no place, September

Melba started making recordings around this time. She recorded on cylinders at the Bettini Phonograph Lab in New York. A reporter from Phonoscope magazine was impressed: "The next cylinder was labelled 'Melba' and was truly wonderful, the phonograph reproducing her wonderful voice in a marvellous manner, especially the high notes which soared away above the staff and were rich and clear." Melba was less impressed: "'Never again,' I said to myself as I listened to the scratching, screeching result. 'Don't tell me I sing like that, or I shall go away and live on a desert island.'"

Item Date:  1898

Stock No:  38984      £375

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