| COPACC hosts tribute to opera queen Nellie Melba
The story of one of Australia’s first showbiz super-star exports, Nellie Melba, is coming to COPACC on Friday, November 11, for the final Morning Music show for 2011.
Nellie Melba: Queen of Song is all about the talented, scandalous, demanding, ambitious, glamorous and successful diva who had a dazzling career on three continents and was the darling of Covent Garden in the golden age of opera.
The show, performed by soprano Louise Page and pianist Phillipa Candy, incorporates engaging story-telling and the unforgettable arias that made Nellie Melba a star, and made opera one of the most popular art forms of the day.
Nellie Melba: Queen of Song captures the spirit of an Australian icon and the times in which she lived – the elegance of pre-war Europe and the innocence of a young and isolated Australia.
It also provides a rare opportunity to hear some of opera’s best-loved arias including Caro Nome from Verdi’s Rigoletto, Mi Chiamano Mimi from Puccini’s la Boheme, and Bishop’s Home Sweet Home, the song the Melba made her own.
COPACC manager Karen Patterson said the show gave audiences a real insight into the lifestyle, inspirations and influences of a woman full of contrasts.
“Melba was famously haughty, elegant, bawdy, generous and mean but was a true celebrity and an amazing talent,” Ms Patterson said.
“Louise Page’s performance as Melba is insightful, clever, entertaining and she truly has a stunning voice.”
COPACC staff and audiences will observe a minute’s silence prior to the performance, in honour of Remembrance Day.
Immediately after the Nellie Melba show, COPACC will launch its 2012 Morning Music Season.
“We have a great variety of shows coming in 2012, a combination of some new performers and some of our audience’s favourites,” Ms Patterson said.
November 8, 2011
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