Ada Crossley
Ada Jemima Crossley (3 March 1871 – 17 October 1929) was an Australian contralto notable as the first Red Seal recording artist engaged in the US by the Victor Talking Machine Company in 1903.
Born at Tarraville, Gippsland, Victoria, she was the daughter of Edwards Wallis Crossley (died 11 April 1902),[1] an ironmonger, and Harriette, née Morris, both from Northamptonshire, England.
On 27 February 1923 she appeared in concert at Wigmore Hall in support of her friend and protégée, the South Australian contralto Clara Serena.
[5] She never lost her love for her native country and her Cavendish Square, London, house was always open to young singers and artists from Australia.
A choir comprising Evangeline Florence, Mary Conly, Nora Long, Elsie Jones, Eva Mylott, Meta Buring, May Otto, Ivy Ansley and May Putney sang the hymn "O Perfect Love", specially arranged by George H. Clutsam and directed by Minna Fischer.
(Edwin Tce, Gilberton, SA ),
L-to-R: Mrs. George Brookman , Norman Brookman, Ada Crossley and May Brookman