Adelaide Phillips

Adelaide Phillips (1833-1882), American contralto singer, was born at Stratford-on-Avon, England, her family emigrating to America in 1840. Her mother taught dancing, and Adelaide began a career on the Boston stage at ten years old. But in 1850 her talent for singing became evident, and through Jenny Lind and others she was sent to London and to Italy to study. In 1855 she returned to America an accomplished vocalist; and for many years she was the leading American contralto, equally successful in oratorio and on the concert platform. She died at Carlsbad on the 3rd of October 1882.