BGM_The Diva from Down Under: Dame Nellie Melba’s Life, Voice, & Legacy

She was the voice that silenced rooms and shook empires - Dame Nellie Melba, Australia’s first global superstar. In this special episode of Down the Yarra, we trace the life, times, and towering legacy of the diva from Richmond. From her early years as Helen Porter Mitchell to her troubled marriage, groundbreaking operatic debut and career as well as her iconic performance at the opening of Canberra’s Old Parliament House in 1927, Melba’s story is one of talent, grit, and triumph. We explore her role to fame, her enduring cultural imprint, and the way she not only helped yet inspired to shape not just the arts in Australia - but Australia’s place on the world stage. Trigger Warning: This episode contains references to domestic abuse and mental health struggles. Plus, stay tuned for our next episode on the Long-Lost Jobs of Old Melbourne.