Madam Evelyn Scotney (1896-1967), “Ballarat’s Songbird” signed photo, showing her standing in Operatic costume with laurel wreath in her hair, inscribed in ink across lower portion
“To Dear Martha
with my love
Evelyn”
along with a small news clipping from the same era, describing her launching the Cunard liner ‘Phrygia’ in Glasgow, noting that …”Madam Scotney is the new Mrs B.H. Russel’, wife of a director of the Cunard Line”
Local Star
Evelyn Scotney, born on 11 July 1896 in Ballarat, Victoria, was an acclaimed Australian lyric coloratura soprano renowned for her exceptional vocal range and technique.
Her talent was first recognized by Dame Nellie Melba during a performance in Melbourne. Impressed by Scotney’s abilities, Melba facilitated her studies in Paris with Mathilde Marchesi, Melba’s own teacher. This mentorship was pivotal in shaping Scotney’s international career.
Scotney made her operatic debut in 1912 at the Boston Opera House, performing roles such as Lucia in Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor” and Olympia in Offenbach’s “The Tales of Hoffmann.”
She later joined the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where she sang alongside renowned tenor Enrico Caruso in his final performance in 1920.
