Dame Nellie Melba, a renowned Australian operatic soprano, is invited to a party at Downton Abbey which is meant to help lift the spirits of Lady Mary Crawley, who is still mourning for her husband.[1]
She later sings Puccini for the rest of the party, getting praise from Violet, who says she prefers Puccini to other composers. While she is singing, downstairs Anna Bates is assaulted by Green, valet to another guest, Lord Gillingham, so no one hears the commotion.
When Nellie dines at Downton, Carson is rather uncomfortable that a performer is sitting at the table. Trouble happens when Melba is stuffed into separate guest quarters by Lord Grantham, who does not know how to greet a singer. Cora eventually escorts Melba into the hall after settling things with her husband.
Appearances[]
| Appearances and Mentions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 4 | Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 Appears |
Episode 4 Mentioned |
Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 Mentioned |
Episode 8 | Christmas Special |
Behind the scenes[]
- Despite Julian Fellowes's remarks that Dame Nellie Melba was the only character to have appeared on Downton Abbey who was based on a real person,[1] the Archbishop of York played in Season 3 by Michael Culkin was referred to in dialogue as "Dr. Lang" which indicates he, too, was an historical character: William Cosmo Gordon Lang, 1st Baron Lang of Lambeth.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kiri Te Kanawa reduced Downton cast to tears, Victoria Ward, The Telegraph, 13th August, 2013.