Dame Kiri plays Downton Abbey's first real character Dame Nellie Melba

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

She is considered to be one of the world’s foremost sopranos, who has won resounding praise for her ‘warm’ voice.
So it’s no surprise that Dame Kiri Te Kanawa was asked to appear in Downton Abbey as the show’s first real character – opera singer Dame Nellie Melba.
And in her first appearance in character, her dulcet tones reduced both cast and crew members to tears when she stepped into the role of one of the most famous singers of the late Victorian era for her cameo. 

Moving: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa plays Victorian opera star Dame Nellie Melba in the new series of Downton Abbey

 
The New Zealand born opera singer performs two pieces as the well-loved Victorian singer, during a house party thrown by the Earl of Grantham in the fourth series of the popular ITV show, which is set to hit the high notes when it begins again next month. 
Downton producer Gareth Neame revealed her appearance on set really was a sight to behold – causing everyone to drop tools to hear her sing. 
Speaking at the season launch on Tuesday, he said: ‘It was the sight of all these tough electricians and grips and all the people you see on a film set with tears in their eyes and wiping a tear away. It was quite a special day.’

It seems it was also a big day for the singer who admitted that she ‘nearly choked’ when she was asked to take part in the huge show and once on set she found it ‘exciting but frightening’ to be amongst such an established cast. 
She said: 'I could not say yes fast enough, it was the most wonderful experience. It's very delicate, very special and beautifully written.’
The role couldn’t have been more perfect for Dame Kiri, who performs Giacomo Puccini's O Mio Babbino Caro and Antonin Dvorak's Songs My Mother Taught Me, because she has always had an interested in the Victorian singer and her career.

Single parents: Lady Mary played by Michelle Dockery with Baby George and Tom Branson played by Allen Leech with baby Sybbie

Drama: Under-butler Thomas (far right), whose homosexuality has become an open secret among staff and family alike, seems more determined that ever to manipulate the other domestics 

And in preparation for her brief but prominent cameo, which will see her have a few lines in conversation with Branson and the Earl of Grantham, she did a little research in order to stay true to the character.
Speaking about Dame Nellie, she said: ‘I had a log sheet of all the performances she did and saw how much she earned and how many roles she played. Her wage for one year would have been about £3 million in today's money.’
She continued: ‘Songs My Mother Taught Me was one of her favourite songs and she performed it everywhere. We've got a recording of her doing it so we tried to copy it and it's very beautifully done and very special so we had to put that one in.

Fresh face: Gary Carr is Jack Ross - a charming, suave and charismatic jazz singer from Chicago has joined the cast

At war over Lady Mary: Actor Tom Cullen plays the dashing Lord Gillingham, (right) an old friend of the famil.  Charles Blake (Julian Ovenden, left), a businessman who reopens an ugly wound from Lady Mary’s past

'I was trying to stay true to the character because as Julian Fellowes said 'she's the only true character' that actually lived.’
And it seems the show will stay with her for many years to come as she decided to name one of her dogs Abbey.
But she did point out that Lady Carnarvon, who owns Highclere, wouldn’t allow her to bring her two dogs on set because one of the homeowner's dogs – a Labrador Percy – doesn’t like having other dogs around.