Talk:Ada Baker

Song list

 * Promenade concerts
 * A dream within a dream; Henry Pontet, written by Edgar Allen Poe
 * A day dream; Blumenthal
 * A vision; Poutet


 * M. Kowalski's Grand Concert
 * La Carita; Rossini


 * North Sydney
 * Under the Palms; Root's cantana


 * Tivoli
 * The Milkmaid

Early life

 * born 11 August 1866 in Strawberry Hills
 * moves to Wagga Wagga, father owns "The Pastoral Hotel" (
 * starts teaching singing lesson at age of 15 for lessons in Sydney (Dictionary Biography)
 * raises £50 for Wagga hospital (austdict)
 * £38 in 1886 for the survivors of the shipwrecked Ly-ee-moon (dict bio)
 * benefit concert in Wagga and sent £24 15s 6d to the Lord Mayor of Sydney.

Early career

 * Moves to Sydney to be pupil of Albert Fisher in 1886
 * Promenade concerts in Exhibition Building in late 1886
 * - praise: ; ;
 * - praise:
 * concerts Manly Aquarium early 1897:
 * marries clerk Charles Henry Hall on 23 April 1887 at Congregational Church in Surrey Hills (under duress! brother would break his head!)
 * daughters born in 1887 and 1889 (austdict)
 * performs Coogee Palace Acquarium in 1888:
 * 12 February 1888 Sunday Concert
 * M. Henri Kowalski's concert at Centennial Town Hall on October 25, 1890
 * tours India and China from between 1891 and 1893 with the Willard Opera Company, playing lead for four years in the Gibert and Sullivan operas, and creating something of a stir in the part of Hollee Beebee in "The Nautch Girl."
 * some time from 1891 to 1893 gave concert to Chamarajendra Wadiyar X, Maharaja of Mysore ?? during tour of India
 * "Sinbad the Sailor" pantomine in 1981
 * benefit for hospital at School of Arts in North Sydney
 * Harry Rickard's vaudeville circuit starting in August 1894 (review ) till 1894 (austdict)
 * applies for divorce in 1897, dismissed
 * (petition for divorce, Charles Henry Hall convicted for embezzlement)
 * some time from 1891 to 1893 gave concert to Chamarajendra Wadiyar X, Maharaja of Mysore ?? during tour of India
 * "Sinbad the Sailor" pantomine in 1981
 * benefit for hospital at School of Arts in North Sydney
 * Harry Rickard's vaudeville circuit starting in August 1894 (review ) till 1894 (austdict)
 * applies for divorce in 1897, dismissed
 * (petition for divorce, Charles Henry Hall convicted for embezzlement)
 * Harry Rickard's vaudeville circuit starting in August 1894 (review ) till 1894 (austdict)
 * applies for divorce in 1897, dismissed
 * (petition for divorce, Charles Henry Hall convicted for embezzlement)

Western Australia

 * Rickett's Tivoli company plays in WA during July and August on 1898, Baker stays and leaves the company, takes up teaching singing
 * plays with Fremantle Orchestral Society, the Perth Musical Union and the Lyric Club, whilst establishing a teaching career
 * court case for unpaid wages (lost)
 * leaves WA in 1908 ;
 * "best of mezzosoprano vocalist in the state"
 * court case for unpaid wages (lost)
 * leaves WA in 1908 ;
 * "best of mezzosoprano vocalist in the state"

Return to Sydney

 * Highland Society
 * Starts choir
 * Advert:
 * Marrickville location for singing lessons (
 * first concert
 * Starts to be known as "Madame Ada Baker"
 * Arranged music for St Cecilia Choir Pymble, where she raised £1000 for the local branch of the British Red Cross Society during World War I (austdictbio)
 * Ladies' choir formed
 * Moves to 335 George St, Sydney (
 * Pymble Cecilia Ladies' Choir performs for War Fund (
 * War concert
 * Pymble Cecilia Ladies' Choir
 * Forms juvenile singing choir class on Saturday mornings (also see
 * First concert of the juvenile and junior students (
 * Moves to 335 George St, Sydney (
 * Pymble Cecilia Ladies' Choir performs for War Fund (
 * War concert
 * Pymble Cecilia Ladies' Choir
 * Forms juvenile singing choir class on Saturday mornings (also see
 * First concert of the juvenile and junior students (
 * Pymble Cecilia Ladies' Choir
 * Forms juvenile singing choir class on Saturday mornings (also see
 * First concert of the juvenile and junior students (

Sydney Muffs

 * Performance of "Caste" (
 * Performance of "Caste" (
 * Performance of "Caste" (

Australian Music Teachers' Alliance

 * Elected to the executive of the Australian Music Teachers' Alliance
 * Elected vice-president of the Australian Music Teachers' Alliance
 * Re-elected vice-president of the Australian Music Teachers' Alliance
 * Re-elected vice-president of the Australian Music Teachers' Alliance

Charity work

 * Children's Hospital
 * Testimonial concert to Miss Ruby H. Guest
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial
 * Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial

Concerts

 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * Coronation:
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall
 * "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall

Lectures

 * Lecture on "The Training of Children's Voices"

Note to the unwary...
The Australian Dictionary of Biography is slightly misleading. it states that "The Halls lived in Perth in 1901-05". That is technically true, but they were unlikely to be living with each other: Ada had unsuccessfully attempted to divorce Charles by then, and had been accused of being unfaithful (which she denied). The Dictionary doesn't even mention this. - Chris.sherlock (talk) 19:39, 26 April 2020 (UTC)

Next part
In attempt to be transparent, I’m noting my plans for this article as I go. I’m going slowly as I’m finding it hard to write the final bit of this article, mostly I’m thinking about it as I wikignome Australian topics and some current events.

Anyway, I think the next paragraph will need to cover the significant concerts she and her children performed in. I think I can get this to a paragraph using the sources I’ve already found. After that I’ll figure out the next paragraph! - Chris.sherlock (talk) 09:43, 29 August 2020 (UTC)

Divorce explanation
I feel I need to explain why I wrote about Baker’s divorce case. My intention here is to give necessary context as to how divorce worked before no fault divorces were introduced in 1975. The explanation of infidelity was in no way meant to show her in a bad light, and if I felt I could exclude it I would have. However, unfortunately because of the law at the time it was brought up. I have included an explanation of no-fault divorce. To satisfy NPOV I could not include my own opinion that Hall used it as a legal mechanism, to all accounts he seems to have gone to the grave pining for his wife but I have no way of knowing motivations. - Chris.sherlock (talk) 17:06, 22 September 2020 (UTC)

Section names
I would prefer to use the section names "References" and "Notes". These are out most common names from time immemorial. If another article whose primary author prefers "Citation" and "Explanatory notes", I would not change this, but I was virtually the sole author of this article and really, reference convention is to stick with the original author's decision. See WP:CITEVAR for the wider explanation. - Aussie Article Writer (talk) 03:35, 16 July 2021 (UTC)

General feedback
As with the other article, not a GA review because I'm not familiar with the criteria anymore and someone else is already doing one.

The article seems a bit unclear about her significance. I'm absolutely not questioning her notability because it's well-sourced and and flies past general notability criteria, but it doesn't really tell me why she's important. There are big gaps in coverage of her performing career and little explanation of her significance as a performer or of the reaction to her performances, beyond a couple of quotes and her skills as a fundraiser at one time. The lead section doesn't really shed any light on this, and since it repeatedly mentions her singing teaching (something that the article doesn't really suggest was of any great significance) it almost downplays her importance to the point where one might wonder why she has an article.

The whole "Move to Western Australia" section seems to need a bit more work. There is very little about her activities in WA outside of the court case, despite the section concluding that she had very much been noticed there. The court case paragraph needs context (what was The Continental Gardens? what did she have to do with them? what is "a Coolgardie or Kalgoorlie reason"?), and "Hence decided to find against Baker" is not a sentence. The Drover&#39;s Wife (talk) 03:40, 25 July 2021 (UTC)
 * Thanks for the feedback. I thought her importance was because of her activities, which I think are detailed fairly extensively in the article. I find it hard to say that she was notable for anything because I fear it would break NPOV. Her accomplishments really show her notability.
 * I also disagree that her singing teaching has been downgraded. It is clear it was important as her students regularly appeared on the radio, and she even gave a lecture on training to a significant organisation of the day. I rather think the article does show it was quite important…
 * I will look at adding some context for The Continental Gardens, that’s a reasonable suggestion.
 * What are the gaps in her performing career? I thought I had covered it quite well, based on the available sources. If you compare it to the ADB, which establishes her notability, I think we cover her performance and teaching career more thoroughly than it does!
 * In terms of the quote you reference, the text reads “ She denied knowing what opposing counsel meant that this was "a Coolgardie or Kalgoorlie reason" for not going.”
 * I think it’s clear that this meant they implied she didn’t want to go because it was in the goldfields, and implied she looked down on the people there. The problem is, that’s all the sources tell us, they don’t explicitly say that’s what is meant. I don’t to introduce WP:OR into the article by saying as such. - Aussie Article Writer (talk) 04:25, 27 July 2021 (UTC)