Adelaide Clare Waggett was born in Brighton in 1878. From a musical family, she gained The London Academy of Music’s Gold Medal, The Academy accepted students “with a decided talent, or showing an aptitude for learning”. By 22, Adelaide, who sometimes called herself Clara was performing as a solo violinist. She led the orchestra at The Chapel Royal, North Street, Brighton. She was described in the Brighton Gazette as “a clever, talented violinist”.
By 1917 Adelaide was Director of Music at the Grand Hotel. The Grand in those days was a place seen as a major centre for music and entertainment and it was advertised regularly as “Only one Hour from London”. This emergence of women coming to prominence in musical circles during and after WW1 was very obvious in Brighton. A women’s musical community was very strong. Adelaide died aged 92.
