Nellie Melba Quotes

Australia, Musician
May 19, 1861 – February, 23, 1931.

Dame Nellie Melba GBE was an Australian operatic soprano. She became one of the most famous singers of the late Victorian era and the early 20th century, and was the first Australian to achieve international recognition as a classical musician. She took the pseudonym "Melba" from Melbourne, her home town.

Also known as Singer

Always sing below your potential.

Nellie Melba
If I'd been a housemaid I'd have been the best in Australia - I couldn't help it. It's got to be perfection for me.

Nellie Melba
- Help

Do everything yourself.

Nellie Melba
The first rule in opera is the first rule in life: see to everything yourself.

Nellie Melba
- Life
There are two things I like stiff and one of them's jelly.

Nellie Melba
- Absurdity
- Jelly
One of the drawbacks of fame is that one can never escape from it.

Nellie Melba
If you wish to understand me at all (and to write an autobiography is only to open a window into one's heart) you must understand first and foremost, that I am an Australian.

Nellie Melba
- Writing
- Heart
- Wish
Music is not written in red, white and blue. It is written in the heart's blood of the composer.

Nellie Melba
- Music
- Heart
- Blood

What are we singers but the silver-voiced messengers of the poet and the musician?

Nellie Melba
- Art
- Musician
- Poet
The eternal task of song can never be finished in a single lifetime. That is the beauty and fascination of the art. Once you begin to phrase finely, you will feel more joy in the beautiful finish of a beautiful phrase than that caused by the loudest applause of an immense audience. The latter excites for a moment; the former endures forever.

Nellie Melba
- Art
- Beautiful
- Song
You won’t be famous until people start saying the worst things they can about you. Don’t worry! It’s a good sign!

Nellie Melba
- People
- Worry
- Worst