Ada Crossley (1871-1929)

Concert
Produced at The Queens Hall, London.
Review from The Colonies and India (London) - 25th May, 1895.

Miss Ada Crossley, the celebrated Australian contralto, made her debut in London in conjunction with Miss Laura Burnham, an American soprano, at the Queen's Hall on Saturday afternoon. Miss Crossley, who has been studying in Paris, under the famous Madame Marchesi, showed by her selection of pieces that she was not afraid to court the severest criticism. She first sang Beethoven's "In questa tomba," in Italian, following it up with Ambroise Thomas's "Air du Sommeil," from Pysche, which she rendered with the original French words in a charming manner. Afterwards Miss Crossley gave a well-known lied of Schumann's in German, and then Sainton-Dolby's plaintive song, "Out on the Rocks," which gained her an encore, for which she gave "Gleaning."

The general verdict was that Miss Ada Crossley had achieved a great artistic success. I see that one of her London critics, after paying a tribute of admiration to her fine voice, advises her to devote herself to Oratorios. There can hardly be any doubt that were Miss Crossley to do so, she would soon become one of the first favourites at our great Handel Festivals; but, after her splendid success on Saturday, it is to be hoped that she will not abandon the concert platform.

There were a number of Australians present at the Queen's Hall, including Mr. and Mrs. Patchett Martin and Mrs. Robert Brough, who warmly congratulated Miss Crossley on her successful debut in London.