Operatic soprano, born in Deans Marsh, Victoria, Australia. She studied overseas, and made her operatic debut in 1932 with the Monte Carlo Opera, appearing in Paris the following year. She became a leading Wagnerian soprano at the Metropolitan Opera, New York City (1935--9). In 1941 she contracted poliomyelitis, and subsequently made guest appearances at the Metropolitan Opera in a wheelchair. During World War 2 she travelled extensively to entertain the troops, and later took up teaching at the University of Southern Illinois. Her autobiography was filmed as Interrupted Melody.