The Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust is founded on the distinguished history and traditions of the Melba Conservatorium of Music.  The Melba Conservatorium legacy has many strands. One thread of continuity has been a commitment to nurturing new generations of singers. That thread was spun by the Dame herself as teacher at the Conservatorium. Melba’s goal in lending her prestige and experience was to perpetuate for future generations the principles of singing upon which her own career had been founded. She harboured the hope that, with the right opportunities, new talents might arise to emulate her personal success.

The Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust has been established to ensure that promising young singers are supported financially during a crucial phase of their development, namely in postgraduate training as the bridge to membership of a professional opera company.

Presently in Melbourne there are no accredited post-graduate programs specializing in operatic performance. In recognizing a strong need the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust has joined forces with the University of Melbourne to underwrite a new Master of Opera course, due to commence in 2012. The Master’s course, which aims to be the best on offer in Australia, will be further enhanced by regular periods of professional experience with Victorian Opera.

The Trust will fund full scholarships for students in the Masters program. Such significant support will not only alleviate the considerable financial strain associated with this type of specialized course, but will also allow the most talented vocal students to undertake intensive opera training regardless of their personal circumstances.

Chairman of the Trust, Robert G Logie-Smith told guests at the Launch of the Trust in July that “the Masters program will fill a troubling gap in current training arrangements by addressing the two great impediments facing young singers today, namely, lack of access to high quality post-graduate training, and absence of substantial financial support. Our partnership with the University is intended to remove these impediments, and, in the process, establish Victoria as home to the best operatic training in the country.”

Over the next three years, the Trust will be focused on the significant fundraising challenges associated with its commitment to providing scholarships. It is essential that the Trust meet its financial goals before the Master of Opera program commences in 2012. Assistance through individual giving is central to the Trust’s capacity to support the new course.

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