Teacher and Patron
Despite the antipathy Melba inspired in some of her peers, she helped the careers of younger singers. She taught for many years at the Conservatorium in Melbourne and looked for a "new Melba". She published a book about her methods, which were based on those of Marchesi. The book opens:
It is easy to sing well, and very difficult to sing badly! How many students are really prepared to accept that statement? Few, if any. They smile, and say: "It may be easy for you, but not for me." And they seem to think that there the matter ends. But if they only knew it, on their understanding and acceptance of that axiom depends half their success. Let me say the same in other words: In order to sing well, it is necessary to sing easily.|
"O soave fanciulla"
You can download the clip or download a player to play the clip in your browser. from Puccini's La bohème, sung by Enrico Caruso and Nellie Melba in 1906. Read more about this topic: Nellie Melba Famous quotes containing the words teacher and, teacher and/or patron:“Every marriage tends to consist of an aristocrat and a peasant. Of a teacher and a learner.” “The memory loaded with mere bookwork is not the thing wanted—is, in fact, rather worse than useless—in the teacher of scientific subjects. It is absolutely essential that his mind should be full of knowledge and not of mere learning, and that what he knows should have been learned in the laboratory rather than in the library.” “I speak for all mediocrities in the world. I am their champion. I am their patron saint.” |