Nellie Melba

Born Helen Porter Mitchell, she adopted the stage name Melba in honor of her native city, Melbourne. Despite initial paternal disapproval of a stage career, she became one of the most famous opera singers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, performing in the world's leading opera houses.

Melba's voice was renowned for its purity and incredible range, enchanting audiences across continents. She was a true global superstar, a prima donna assoluta who commanded immense respect and equally immense fees.

Her legacy extends beyond the operatic stage, having influenced countless singers and even giving her name to culinary delights. While her voice certainly brought immense nachas to her fans, it wasn't exactly the Jewish kind, seeing as she was a Presbyterian from Australia, about as far removed from a kvelling bubbe as one could get.