Nellie Melba and Robert Helpmann go under the scanner
Collections of Australia’s performing arts heritage are being digitised for online viewing thanks to a cash donation to the National Library of Australia.
A commemorative silk fan that was owned by Dame Nellie Melba and signed by some of the biggest musical stars of her day is among the first objects in the National Library of Australia’s performing arts collection to be digitised with assistance from a donation from philanthropist Isaac Wakil.
The Sydney businessman and donor, through the Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation, has given $1m to the NLA to help digitise key parts of the collection, which also includes the papers of famed ballet dancer and director Robert Helpmann, and composer Miriam Hyde.
The NLA has a large collection of performing arts material and it is not limited to books and personal papers.
“Our job is to collect the entire documentary heritage of Australia in multiple forms,” said director-general Marie-Louise Ayres.
“Performing arts has always been part of the national story, and from the earliest days of collecting there was a really big emphasis on capturing Australia’s culture in this way. It’s central to our collection.”
Melba, one of the world’s most famous women when she sang on stage and on early gramophone records at the turn of the 20th century, is represented in the NLA by her personal papers, letters, theatre programs and other ephemera related to her career. The fan was signed by prominent artists including bass Feodor Chaliapin, soprano Clara Butt and violinist Yehudi Menuhin.
Other collections to be digitised include the papers of Opera Australia’s long-time artistic director Moffatt Oxenbould, and the records of theatrical production company JC Williamson.
The Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation in recent years has given major gifts for medicine and the arts, notably $46m to the University of Sydney for the Susan Wakil Health Building and scholarships, and $24m to the Art Gallery of NSW for its Sydney Modern building.
Mr Wakil said he and Mrs Wakil, who died in 2018, shared a great love of the performing arts.
“Preserving and sharing these collections online will allow everyone to join in the recollection of these great performances once again, and the foundation is delighted to work with the National Library to make this project a reality,” he said.
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