Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Dame Nellie Melba

Nellie_Melba_by_Henry_Walter_Barnett

Born on this day in 1861, Dame Nellie Melba was the first Australian to achieve international recognition as an opera singer.

Dame Nellie was born Helen Porter Mitchell but later changed her name to Melba as a tribute to her beloved Melbourne.

Renowned chef, Auguste Escoffier, created the recipe for Peach Melba in her honour and later Melba toast, as a meal that the singer could eat when she suffered a prolonged illness.

Dame Nellie Melba died on 23 February, 1931 in St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.