Lillian Russell
Lillian Russell (born December 4, 1861 in Clinton , Iowa as Helen Louise Leonard , † June 5, 1922 in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania ) was an American actress and operetta singer (soprano).
Life
Little is known about her youth, but she is said to have taken music lessons in Chicago and, at the age of 18, moved with her mother to New York , where she became a member of the choir of the operetta H.MS Pinafore .
In 1879 she appeared for the first time under her new stage name Lillian Russell in the theater of Tony Pastor , who was then known as a sponsor of great celebrities. Her performances were acclaimed, which is why she took on a few more roles in Pastor's operas.
The media soon became aware of her too, as she was celebrated not only for her voice but also for her looks. Her 40-year relationship with businessman James Buchanan Brady also caused a stir .
Her best-known roles include appearances in Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience and The Sorcerer, as well as in various works by Jacques Offenbach . She also starred in several films, including one of the first color films, of which only fragments have survived today.
When she died on June 5, 1922, she had shortly before fulfilled an investigation (orig .: fact-finding mission) in Europe that her President Harding had given. She was buried with full military honors in a private mausoleum in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania .
Biography
In 1940 director Irving Cummings filmed her life in the film Lillian Russell with Alice Faye in the title role and Don Ameche and Henry Fonda in other roles. The role of James Buchanan "Diamond Jim" Brady played Edward Arnold , while Leo Carrillo took on the role of Tony Pastor. At the 1941 Academy Awards , Richard Day and Joseph C. Wright were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Production Design in a Black and White Film.
Filmography
- 1911: La Tosca
- 1914: Potted pantomimes
- 1915: Wildfire
Individual evidence
- ↑ Gerald Bordman: Russell, Lillian. In: Grove Music Online (English; subscription required).
- ↑ The New York Times names June 6th as the date of death .
Web links
- Lillian Russell at Operissimo on the basis of the Great Singer Lexicon
- Photo gallery
- Lillian Russell (film) in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Lillian Russell in the database of Find a Grave (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Russell, Lillian |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Leonard, Helen Louise (real name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American actress and operetta singer (soprano) |
| DATE OF BIRTH | December 4, 1861 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Clinton , Iowa |
| DATE OF DEATH | June 5, 1922 |
| Place of death | Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania |