Emelie Melville

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Emelie Melville

Emelie Melville (c. 1851 – 8 July 1932),[1] also known as Emelie Melville Derby, was an American actress, a star of comic opera, who had a considerable career in Australia.

History[]

She was born in Philadelphia and first appeared on stage at the age of 10 in several juvenile parts.

At age 16 she played Ophelia to John Wilkes Booth's Hamlet.[2]

She was the first in America to play the title role in The Grand Duchess, in San Francisco.[3][a] Around this time she married Thomas Derby; they were divorced by 1884.[4]

She first arrived in Australia in 1875 under engagement to W. S. Lyster to play in a series of operettas in Sydney, followed by Melbourne's Opera House, to packed houses.

She made a return tour of Australia in 1882.[3] A dispute over her contract led to her suing the J. C. Williamson organisation in 1883.[5] Costs involved led to her declaring insolvency in Melbourne.[6] In September 1884 she left Melbourne for India, heading a large company of performers[7] as the Emelie Melville Opera Company.

Around 1930 she had a small part in Margaret Anglin's revival of A Woman of No Importance, which was greatly appreciated by the audience.[1]

Notes and references[]

  1. ^ According to IBDB the Offenbach operetta's first American production was in New York (17 Jun 1868 – 18 July 1868)
  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "The Woman's World". The Herald (Melbourne) (17, 208). Victoria, Australia. 9 July 1932. p. 22. Retrieved 27 March 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "Emelie Melville". Daily Mercury. 64 (182). Queensland, Australia. 1 August 1930. p. 10. Retrieved 27 March 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Our Illustration". The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser. XX (95). New South Wales, Australia. 8 December 1883. p. 1. Retrieved 27 March 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Divorced". The Bulletin. 1 (39). 9 February 1844. Retrieved 27 March 2021 – via Trove.
  5. ^ "A Theatrical Dispute". The Argus (Melbourne) (11, 449). Victoria, Australia. 1 March 1883. p. 4. Retrieved 27 March 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Insolvent Court". The Australasian. XXXVI (939). Victoria, Australia. 29 March 1884. p. 20. Retrieved 27 March 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Figaro". The Lorgnette. XXXV. Victoria, Australia. 29 September 1884. p. 4 (Edition 1). Retrieved 27 March 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
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