[3] From 1836 Melanie Lewy studied the harp with Elias Parish Alvars, who at that period was harpist at the Vienna Opera.

Her performances were noted by the reviews of the time in somewhat condescending terms: for example, "the lovely and amiable Melanie, who treats the harp with a delicacy and expression that gains the hearts of all her listeners" (1841).

[4] They undertook concert tours in Europe both as a couple and together with other members of the Lewy family; two children were born, Aloisa in 1843 and Arthur in 1846.

The death of her husband in 1849 in Vienna placed the family in great poverty; Melanie had to sell some of her clothes to pay for the funeral.

[5] Melanie subsequently undertook a career as a soloist, based in London but travelling all over Europe, including concerts in St. Petersburg, Leipzig and Berlin.