Opera Unveiled: Melba and the Australian Performing Arts Collection

The Australian Performing Arts Collection Store at Arts Centre Melbourne. Photograph by Tom Blachford. Arts Centre Melbourne.

Take a look behind the scenes into the rich history of the Australian Performing Arts Collection with curators Ian Jackson and Margaret Marshall. This 40-minute presentation, followed by an opportunity for audience Q&A, will explore Melba’s legacy and its enduring impact on Australian opera. 

From the first costumes donated to the collection by Melba’ granddaughter, Pamela Lady Vestey, to collection inspired art commissions, this is your chance to experience the Opera collection like never before—guided by the experts who know it best. 

Event Overview 

11.00am–11.40am – Presentation by Ian Jackson and Margaret Marshall 

11.40am–12.00pm – Audience Q&A 

12.00pm–12.30pm – Time to explore ‘A Toast to Melba’ exhibition

About Dr Ian Jackson 

Dr Ian Jackson has been Curator of Opera and Dance at the Australian Performing Arts Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne since 2022 and has worked with the collection since 2018. Before then, he has worked on exhibitions and collections at the Shrine of Remembrance and the Australian War Memorial. 

About Margaret Marshall 

Margaret Marshall has worked with the Australian Performing Arts Collection at Arts Centre Melbourne for over 25 years and is currently Curator, Theatre & Popular Entertainment. Her many projects include documenting the Dame Nellie Melba Collection and co-curating the exhibition Objects of Fame: Nellie Melba and Percy Grainger at the University of Melbourne’s Grainger Museum (2018). She is also a PhD candidate in Historical Studies at Monash University. 
 

Age recommendation:  All ages