I am Melba

AUSTRALIAN BOOK REVIEW - MAY 2008

'When Nellie met Melba' by Michael Shmith - in this months Australian Book Review (May 2008 p.46-7).

"Ann Blainey's thoroughly researched, excellently written and beguilingly human biography of Nellie Melba......"

"Part of the charm of Blainey's account is the balance she maintains between the various aspects of Melba's character. The author never disregards Melba's musicianship, which was considerable, or her technique, which was formidable, instead, she allows these qualities to coexist with the complexities often eclipsed by fame or modified (even completely changed) by the scuttlebutt. This is something of an art-restorer about Ann Blainey: she quietly and deftly, without putting herself in the frame, removes the patina of previous biographers or historical recollections, to recover layers that make one view the result in a different light"

READINGS CONVERSATION WITH BARRY JONES

On Thursday 24th April Ann Blainey was in 'conversation' with Barry Jones at Readings Hawthorn store. The event was videoed, and is now available from Black Inc TV.

A must for all those who have heard the necessarily brief radio interviews but want to hear more of Melba and the writing of this fascinating work.

Black iTV of the Barry Jones - Ann Blainey 'conversation'

the video requires broadband access

COURIER MAIL REVIEW

The Brisbane Courier Mail has published a very positive review in the Saturday (19 Apr) edition. The reviewer, Mark McGinness comments -

Nellie Melba is a glorious subject for biography. With meticulous
research, Blainey has produced a more sympathetic Melba than John
Hetherington's well-regarded study in 1987

TO READ THE COMPLETE REVIEW CLICK HERE

FORMER GG LAUNCHES BOOK

The book was formally launched this evening (17 Apr) at a party hosted by Professor Geoffrey Blainey. A short set by rising star Mary-Jean O'Doherty was met with great applause.

The set was chosen by Ann Blainey to highlight aspects of Melba's career. The first song was the audition piece which convinced Madame Marchesi to accept Melba as a pupil.The second piece was from 'Rigoletto', Melba's first triumphant Opera performance at La Monnaie in Brussels- complete with the Melba's trademark trills! The final piece was the sentimental song "Home! Sweet Home!". The author provided a short commentary before each piece.

The former Governor General Sir Ninian Stephen KG was called upon to complete the proceedings by announcing the launch of the book.

INTERVIEW ON ABC PERTH MORNING

An interview with ABC 720 Perth Morning show host Geoff Hutchinson (Thu 17 Apr). The incident were Melba's Perth concert was interupted by a fake fire alarm, and then a shed collapsed due to fans climbing on to see through the windows is discussed.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

BRISBANE INTERVIEW NOW ONLINE

A very comprehensive interview with 4 BC presenter Ian Maurice was had on Tuesday 15th April on the 'Evening Show'. Ian Maurice and Ann Blainey discussed Melba's time in Mackay in addition to general comments about the book and Melba's life.

The podcast is of the talkback prompted by the interview

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

RADIO NATIONAL INTERVIEW ONLINE

The very good interview from Monday mornings 'Radio National Breakfast with Steve Cannane' is now available for podcast - you can check the ABC website and look for the downloads for 14 April. Or you can download direct by clicking here the file is an MP3 of around 5Mb.

REVIEWS OF 'I AM MELBA'

The review in The Australian (12 Apr) notes that the biography is meticulously researched, and points out the myths busted by this thorough inquiry. Pointedly the story that Melba died as a direct result of a botched face lift - the evidence is that whilst she died of septicaemia that this was many months after her cosmetic surgery.

From Blainey's book a picture emerges of Melba as Australian music's link with the belle epoque of European opera.

Nellie Melba's life, loves and mythology continue to captivate us, writes Matthew Westwood
| The Australian | April 12, 2008

The Age review (14 Apr) by Jim Davidson states that of the five biographies so far that I am Melba is 'superior to them all'

BOOK LAUNCH NEARS - 14 April

On a warm Australian evening in December 1869, a small girl stood nervously beside a stage waiting her turn to perform. A commonplace scene, there was nothing to suggest that this child would become Madame Melba, one of the great singers in the his­tory of opera." - ANN BLAINEY, I am Melba

In I am Melba Ann Blainey explores the fascinating life of Australia's first international superstar.

Growing up in Melbourne, Nellie Mitchell dreamed of fame, but her devout father disapproved. As a young wife and mother on the Queensland cane­fields, her longing for an exciting life intensified. Travelling to London and Paris, she trusted in her musical talent and hoped for a lucky break.

Within a few years, reborn as Nellie Melba, she was performing to overflowing concert halls, hobnobbing with European royalty and collaborating with some of the most renowned composers of the age. Audi­ences swooned over the "heavenly pleasures" of her voice, while the public showed an insatiable appetite for news of her passionate private life. Feted and chastised by critics, pursued by the press and mobbed by fans, Dame Nellie Melba was the most famous singer of her era. Blainey writes, "Melba received the kind of worship that is today reserved for pop stars . Newspapers called it 'Melba rage', or 'Melbamania', and it was fuelled by thousands of loyal fans."

Behind the scenes, Melba was a canny business­woman, a practical joker and a superb self-publicist. When she died in Sydney - in somewhat mysterious circumstances - the nation's flags were flown at half­mast and tens of thousands turned out to pay her tribute.

Available April 14th, 2008

at all good booksellers

I am Melba by Ann Blainey

ISBN: 978-1-86395-183-8         RRP $32.95
Black Inc.