won the women's crown for the third successive year, beating compatriot Dai Yun 9-11 11-5 11-1. Gade edged clear from 11-11 in the first game but was always trailing in the second after falling 7-0 behind.
Hidayat recovered from 0-5 in the decider to level at 6-6 but Gade's magnificent cross-court smash won him a number of key points as he stretched away to 12-7 and ultimately the championship after 87 minutes of high-quality badminton.
It was the third time this decade the title had gone to Denmark, following triumphs by Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen in 1995 and 1996.
Hidayat, seeded nine, had served notice in the last few months that he was improving quickly. Notable performances included taking Gade to three games in a match last October.
Despite the defeat, he was clearly the find of the tournament in its centenary year and a young man with a big future.
His heavy smashing and fine defence, coupled with excellent disguise and a composure beyond his years, would have been enough for most players, excluding Gade.
Earlier scalps claimed by the Indonesian included Olympic champion Hoyer-Larsen and the number two seed from Taiwan, Fung Permadi.
The teenager was the second youngest in All England history to make the men's singles final. Only his famous compatriot Rudy Hartono, who swept eight All England crowns, stands ahead of him after reaching his first final aged 16 in 1968.
Hidayat said: ``I'm very disappointed but Gade was much more mature and experienced than me.
``My legs are okay but my head is tired.''
Gade, top seed, had his task made easier before the tournament when five big names were forced out through injury, including defending champion Sun Jun of China and world champion Peter Rasmussen of Denmark.
But it is not certain that any of them would have run Gade so hard as Hidayat.
The Indonesian's main aim is next year's Olympics rather than the world championships in Denmark in May which may come a shade too soon for his precocious talents.
Gade, winning his first major title, said: ``It's always nice to get a big title under your belt because it means all the hard work you have put in since you were little has paid off.''
The winner paid tribute to the young Indonesian, describing him as a ``tremendous player.'' ``He is so strong in defence,'' said Gade.
The only glitch for the Dane came after the match when his girlfriend Camilla Martin, top seed in the women's tournament but beaten in the semifinals on Saturday, was prevented by a steward from rushing on court to congratulate him.
The misunderstanding was quickly sorted out and the Danish celebrations started.
Martin had lost to Ye in the semifinals and the tall, elegant Chinese looked poised for her third title.
But Dai took her by surprise going into a 6-0 lead in the first game before Ye engaged gear. But once the second game was secure Ye raced home.
The men's doubles went to Indonesia's Tony Gunawan and Candra Wijaya who beat South Koreans Lee Dong-soo and Yoo Yong-sung 15-7 15-5.
A lengthy women's doubles final was won by South Korea's Chung Jae-hee and Ra Kyung-min. They defeated China's Huang Sui and Lu Ying 15-6 15-8.
There was joy for home fans when England's Simon Archer and Jo Goode took the mixed crown by defeating South Korea's Ha Tae-kwan and Chung Jae-hee 15-2 15-13.
Badminton-Singapore Open finals results (1999-08-29)Christensen, Ye win Japan Open badminton singles (1999-04-12)Badminton-Gade, Ye land All England crowns (1999-03-15)3 (11285)
