This news may not cause dancing in the streets but may provide a small
frisson of pleasure for any Saint-Saens completists among our number.
The source is "The Australian", a national broadsheet.

"An opera last performed by Dame Nellie Melba one century ago will be
revived in a new recording by her namesake label.

Helene, by French composer Camille Saint-Saens, premiered in Monte Carlo
in 1904 with Dame Melba singing the title role of Helen of Troy.

But after only one performance of the work at Covent Garden, Melba shed
it from her repertoire.

'It didn't really suit Nellie's voice', said Melba Foundation founder
Maria Vandamme.  Her classical recordings outfit will produce a new
recording of Helene next year - by a singer yet to be announced - for
release in 2005.

Vandamme discovered the score in the archives of the Monte Carlo Opera
House."

Richard Pennycuick