DAME NELLIE MELBA

Shannon News, 1 March 1927, Page 1

DAME NELLIE MELBA

RETURN TO MELBOURNE. PLA'NS FOR THE FUTURE. Dame Nellie Melba returned to Melbourne last month. So anxious was she to see her home that she did not stay even a minute in the city. A motor car was waiting at the wharf when the Naldera berthed, and she motored straight to Coldstream. All day she was happy at Coombe Cottage, inspecting the alterations that had been made in her absence supervising the unpacking of her luggage, arranging and rearranging flowers, and seeing that everything was "just so." She behaved a s if she had just taken possession of a new house; she peeped into every room, and every corner in every room. "I cannot describe how I feel," she said. "I am home and that expresses everything. Two years and three months I have been away, and for two years and three months I have not been warm. In London they would s>ay, *?That a warm day,' and I would smile scornfully and think of the sunshine of Australia. So anxious was Ito enjoy the sunshine again that I almost regretted that I was not hero for the heat wave."

"So I look wonderfully well? I feel wonderfully too. I was so sick when I left Melbourne. Do you know I wondered in my own heart whether I would live to come back. But I spent some weeks in a nursing home, and with the aid of specialists I made a scientific study of Tiny health. Here I am feeling better than ever, and despite my fractured too" —and to prove that a healthy, happy mind is superior to physical handicaps she danced across the room. "My voice? it is much better than when I left Australia. Listen." And to show how well her voice was she sang a few light phrases.

A flattering welcome was given Dame Nellie when the Naldera berthed. She was met by many friends including tho President of the Melthree deal boxes, one inside another, Zelman), the girls from the University Conservatorium and representatives of the Limbless Soldiers* Association. Still more-reSarlcable was tho tributo of the ship's crew, which paraded on the upper deck and cheered, as she walked down the gangway.

Dame Nellie said that her greatttt thrill while abroad was singing at the Old Vic, in fulfilment of a promise made before the war. The Covent Garden management arranged the settings that she wa s used to, and she was happy to have supporting her two Australians, Browning Mummery end John D. Brownlee. Many of those who were present paid twopence each for standing room. It was a real Old Vic. audience, and she was happy singing to it. Her only complaint was against the bed on which, as Mimi in "La Bohcmc," she had to die. It was so lumpy that she sent for a new one.

Many new froek s are included in Dame Nellie's luggage, but the details of them are beyond the understanding of a man. "One-of the saddest things that happened while I was away," £aid Dame Nellie, "was the death of George Worth. Let me b'; frank; he has been making my frocks for 30 years. Ido not know what I shall do now. He made the cloak I wore in 'Lohengrin,' and which cost me £BOO 22 years ago. It is coming out to Australia —surely they cannot charge me duty on that? —and I intend to add it to my gallory."

Dame Nellie will sing her farewell concert in the new Melbourne Town Hall and Mr. John Lemmone, tho flautist will support her. Melba* and Lemmone made their debut together ac the Melbourne Town Hall, and they will make their farewell appearances together. Her offer to sing at the opening of Federal Parliament at Canberra has been accepted by the Federal authorities, but Dame Melba said she had no idea what she would sing. For the present she intended to rett —"If it is possible for me to rest with such an energetic nature" —and entertain her friends. She intends to take an active interest In politics —when she ceases singing. "I cannot talk and sing at the same time," she said, "and politics will have to wait until I have finished j singing."