Madam Scotney, “Ballarat’s Songbird” signed photo, c. 1925

Madam Evelyn Scotney (1896–1967), “Ballarat’s Songbird” — a signed photograph showing her standing in operatic costume with laurel wreath in her hair, inscribed in ink across the lower portion: “To Dear Martha / with my love / Evelyn.”

Included is 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. Russell, wife of a director of the Cunard Line.”

Evelyn Scotney was born on 11 July 1896 in Ballarat, Victoria — an acclaimed Australian lyric coloratura soprano renowned for her exceptional vocal range and technique. Her talent was first recognised by Dame Nellie Melba, who helped launch her international career. She 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 the renowned tenor Enrico Caruso in his final performance in 1920.