A QUEEN OF SONG.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 522, 19 September 1902, Page 2

A QUEEN OF SONG.

MELBA ENTHUSIASTICALLY WELCOMED.

By Telegraph. Press Association. Copyright » Brisbane, Sept. 17. Despite the late hour of the Miowera’s arrival, a large crowd enthusiastically welcomed Madumo Melba. Tho assembly included the Mayor and Mayoress of Brisbane. The latter presented a beautiful bouquet. Melba is in splendid health, and greatly enjoyed and benefited by the rest of tho voyage. She told an interviewer : “ Everybody said I was never in such fine voice as this year iu London. I do hope it will bo tho same hete.”

She is enthusiastic over revisiting Australia, and declared that when she first saw the land in the distance she bowed three times to it for luck.

Asked why she made the visit, she said : “ I was determined to come and see my father.” She stated she does not know what she will sing in Australia. Nothing has yet been settled, not even tho first programme. She did not know whether she would sing in opera, but would just love to do so.

The other members of the party are: Signora Sassoli, harpist; Fred Griffiths, flautist; and Miss Davies, pianist. Melba goes to Syduey to-day, and will proceed to Melbourne on Friday.

A TRIUMPHAL TOUR,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrighi Brisbane, Sept. 18.

Madame Melba has been mundated with telegrams and letters of welcome. She left by the mail train for Sydney today, the party travelling by a special car. They had a triumphal progress through Queensland, crowds gathering at all stations. As Madame Melba will be tired by tho journey, she remains in Sydney till Sunday night.