Hughes, Adella (1869–1950)

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Hughes, Adella (1869–1950)

American orchestra manager. Name variations: Adella Prentiss. Born Adella Prentiss, Nov 29, 1869, in Cleveland, Ohio; died Aug 23, 1950, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio; dau. of Loren Prentiss (lawyer) and Ellen (Rouse) Prentiss; Vassar College, AB, 1890; m. Felix Hughes (singer), Oct 5, 1904 (div. 1923); no children.

Served as professional accompanist and organized concert series and major performances; contributed to establishment of regular concert series in Cleveland, Ohio (1901) and sponsored a Musical Arts Association; served as manager of the Cleveland Orchestra for 15 years (1918–33), the 1st woman manager of a major symphony orchestra.

See also Adella Prentiss Hughes, Music Is My Life (World, 1947).