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Ada Crossley
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Ada Jemima Crossley (3 March 1871 – 17 October 1929) was an Australian notable as the first Red Seal recording artist engaged in the US by the Victor Talking Machine Company in 1903.

Born at , , Victoria, she was the daughter of Edwards Wallis Crossley (died 11 April 1902), His gravestone also has "Edwards". an ironmonger, and Harriette, née Morris, both from Northamptonshire, England. Ada was the sixth surviving child in a family of twelve children.

Crossley's singing in the country met with such appreciation that she was sent to to be trained, where Sir Frederic Cowen, (who had come from London to conduct the orchestra at the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1888–9), heard her sing and gave her advice. She studied under Madame for singing, and under the elder for piano and harmony.Margery Missen, 'Crossley, Ada Jemima (1871–1929)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 8, (MUP), 1981 Her first appearance was with the Philharmonic Society at Melbourne in 1889. She sang frequently in Melbourne at concerts and in , and was the principal contralto in the choir of 'sC. R. Badger, 'Strong, Charles (1844–1942)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 6, (MUP), 1976 Australian Church. She made her début performance in Sydney in January 1892, and also became well known there.

In 1894, she went to and studied under Mathilde Marchesi for voice production, and (later Sir) for oratorio work. Her first appearance in London was at the Queen's Hall on 18 May 1895, when she was an immediate success. For many years she held a leading place at music festivals and on the concert platform, and she gave five command performances before in two years. She was also successful in America, and on returning to Australia in 1904 her tour was a series of triumphs.

She also visited South Africa, and her second tour in Australia in 1908 was again very successful. She sang regularly at English festivals until 1913 but retired a few years later, though she made occasional appearances for charity. On 27 February 1923 she appeared in concert at in support of her friend and protégée, the South Australian contralto . The London newspapers gave positive reviews, also praising Serena's accompanist (and husband) Roy Mellish. She never lost her love for her native country and her , London, house was always open to young singers and artists from Australia. There they received advice, hospitality, and sometimes assistance, without any suggestion of patronage.


Personal
On 16 May 1905 Crossley married Francis Muecke CBE FRCS, son of H. C. E. Muecke. The wedding, which took place at St Marylebone Parish Church, was a grand social occasion. A choir comprising Evangeline Florence, , , , , , , and sang the hymn "O Perfect Love", specially arranged by George H. Clutsam and directed by .

For a time they had a cottage home at St John's Wood, but as Muecke's London practice grew, a city address became necessary.

There were no children. Crossley died at London after a short illness on 17 October 1929.


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