Melba, Dame Nellie, 1861-1931, Australian soprano, whose name originally was Helen Porter Mitchell. After study with Mathilde Marchesi in Paris, she made her operatic debut in Brussels in 1887. Famous for her lyric and coloratura roles, she sang regularly at Covent Garden in London from 1888 until 1926 and intermittently with the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York City from 1893 to 1910; in 1907 she performed at the Manhattan Opera House and also made appearances in Australia and many other parts of the world. She was made Dame of the British Empire in 1918.

orig. Helen Porter Mitchell

(born May 19, 1861, Richmond, near Melbourne, Austl.—died Feb. 23, 1931, Sydney) Australian soprano. After study with Mathilde Marchesi (1821–1913) in Paris, she debuted in Brussels in Rigoletto (1887), and in the next six years she sang in all the major opera houses of the world. One of the most celebrated coloraturas in the years preceding World War I, she sang mostly at Covent Garden after 1902. Concentrating on a few Italian and French operas, she possessed abundant technique and vocal beauty. Two foods, Melba toast and peach Melba, were named for her.

Learn more about Melba, Dame Nellie with a free trial on Britannica.com.

orig. Helen Porter Mitchell

(born May 19, 1861, Richmond, near Melbourne, Austl.—died Feb. 23, 1931, Sydney) Australian soprano. After study with Mathilde Marchesi (1821–1913) in Paris, she debuted in Brussels in Rigoletto (1887), and in the next six years she sang in all the major opera houses of the world. One of the most celebrated coloraturas in the years preceding World War I, she sang mostly at Covent Garden after 1902. Concentrating on a few Italian and French operas, she possessed abundant technique and vocal beauty. Two foods, Melba toast and peach Melba, were named for her.

Learn more about Melba, Dame Nellie with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Melba is a city in Canyon County, Idaho, United States. The population was 439 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Boise City–Nampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Melba is located at (43.373487, -116.529194).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 439 people, 156 households, and 105 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,481.5 people per square mile (565.0/km²). There were 164 housing units at an average density of 553.4/sq mi (211.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.28% White, 0.46% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 13.67% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.58% of the population.

There were 156 households out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.37.

In the city the population was spread out with 32.8% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 118.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,429, and the median income for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $25,096 versus $20,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,928. About 9.6% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.

Notable natives

• Renee Tenison - Playboy Playmate of the Year - 1980

References

External links