| Variations of Name | Elsie Mary Fischer | Elsie Moses | Elsa Stralia |
| Biography | Elsa Adela was an Australian soprano singer with an international reputation in Europe and America. She adopted the stage name Elsa Stralia in honour of Australia, and sometimes used Adela in honour of Adelaide. At this time Australian singers followed a trend set by Dame Nellie Melba in selecting Australian related names as stage names.
In 1913 she made her debut at Covent Garden as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni. She also appeared in Milan, Paris and New York City. She once sang 'Star-Spangled Banner' while dressed as the Statue of Liberty.
During the war years she performed at the Drury Lane Theatre with roles in Thomas Beecham's opera seasons. She also toured South Africa, was soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Society and toured with violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, pianist Vladimir de Pachmann and with Clara Butt. Many of these performance raised funds for the war effort. After the war Elsa Stralia continued to perform in England and Europe and in 1921-22 she was a soloist in twelve concerts for the New York Symphony Orchestra.. In 1925 Elsa Stralia made a successful tour of Australia and New Zealand.
Leaving no heirs after her death, her estate was used to establish a scholarship for young Australian female singers. |