Feature Article
Essie Adele Ackland (1896–1975)
Essie Adele Ackland (1896-1975), singer, was born on 27 March 1896 at Woollahra, Sydney, eldest daughter of Henry James Ackland, licensed victualler, and his wife Marea, née Bassetti, both native-born. A grand-daughter of 'the silvery tenor' Harry Ackland, Essie had a lifelong ambition to sing, but did well at school and acquired basic secretarial skills before studying at the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music under Roland Foster who found her modest, unassuming and diligent. Despite...
