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DEATH OF MELBA
Illness Which Began Year Ago Proves Fatal
CROWDED LIFE OF AUSTRALIA'S
FAMOUS PRIMA DONNA
Dame Nellie Melba, Australia's famous prima donna — one
of the most renowned in the history of music—died in St. Vin
cent's Hospital, Sydney, on Monday, after an illness that had
begun a year ago. She was nearly 70 years of age.
Melba had been in hospital since her return to Australia
several weeks ago. From all over the world messages of regret
at the passing of the illustrious singer have been received.
Dcring her illness the King and Queen had been continually
in touch with Sir Philip Game, Governor of New South Wales,
to hear the latest news of her condition.
Sydney, February 23.
Dame Nellie Melba died this after
noon. For five weeks she has lain in
a private hospital at Darlinghurst,
seriously unwell. At times her condi
tion improved, but in the last week
she became critically ill, and though
fighting courageously, she gradually be
came weaker.
For the greater part of Sunday she
was unconscious and doctors fought
strenuously to save her. This morn
ing she asked for a churchman. During
the day she was attended by her son
and one or two intimate friends and
toward evening she passed peacefully
away.
Sincere regret at the death of a great
singer and one of the most distin
guished Australians has been expressed
from all parts of the world. Always
she retained a passionate affection for
her country, and in the days of her
illness, when other treatment had
failed, she came back to Australia to
gain the benefit of its sunshine.
Became Ill at Cairo
Dame Nellie Melba's illness dated
from about a year ago, when she was
at Cairo.
On the advice of a German doctor
she went to Baden, Germany, for
treatment which, however, was unsatis
factory. Paris later found her even
less well, and she left at once for Aus
tralia.
On arrival at Fremantle she was
desperately ill, and on reaching Mel
bourne she entered a private hospital.
She spent Christmas at Coombe Cot
tage, her beautiful home at Lilydale
and came to Sydney in January to
spend a recuperative holiday with her
sister at Moss Vale, but after a few
days there she returned to Sydney for
treatment and entered a private hos
pital.
Messages From Abroad
The course of her illness was fol
lowed with sympathetic interest from
all parts of the world. Three cable
messages were received from the King
and Queen. Other messages poured in
from different countries.
Melba, notwithstanding the exhaust
ing nature of her illness, was always
most thoughtful in her consideration
of the nurses. Only two weeks ago,
she sang to them part of Gounod's
'Ave Maria,' the last song from a
voice which had charmed and inspired
hundreds of audiences in all parts of
the world.
Last Tuesday she was visited by
Canon Lea, of St. Mark's, Darling
Point, and to-day, evidently realising
that the illness was almost over, she
sent for him again.
Poise Weakened
Slowly, during the morning, her pulse
weakened, and her vitality died away.
Her son and a few intimate friends
Melba as Marguerite in 'Faust' Help
Melba as Marguerite in 'Faust'
gathered for the last silent farewells,
and as evening came Melba died.
The arrangements for the funeral
are not completed, but is probable that
Melba will be buried at Lilydale ceme
tery, near Coombe cottage, on Thurs
day morning.
The remains will be conveyed from
the hospital to the Melbourne express
to-morrow night. On arrival at Mel
bourne there will be a service at Scots
Church, Collins-street, where Melba
sang in the choir as a girl. It is under
stood that on the following day she
will be buried.
The Governor of New South Wales
(Sir Philip Game) said— 'The King
made constant enquiries about Dame
Nellie Melba's illness in the last few
weeks, and by his express command I
have kept him fully informed at fre
quent intervals as to her condition.'
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