Lecture
Patrick Bade
Opera in the Age of Dame Nellie Melba
Summary
The Australian diva Dame Nellie Melba aspired to inherit the crown of Adelina Patti as Queen of Song. From 1889-1914 she ruled the Royal Opera House Covent Garden with a rod of iron, making bitter enemies along the way. This lecture will tell the story of Dame Nellie and her rivals in a golden age of singing.
Patrick Bade
Patrick Bade is a historian, writer, and broadcaster. He studied at UCL and the Courtauld Institute of Art. He was a senior lecturer at Christie’s Education for many years and has worked for the Art Fund, Royal Opera House, National Gallery, and V&A. He has published on 19th- and early 20th-century paintings and historical vocal recordings. His latest book is Music Wars: 1937–1945.