What are facts about Lillian Russell?

Answer 1

She was a leading stage personality at the turn of the century. She was both a singer and actress but as far as known never recorded music . (there may have been a ban in effect to protect the concert and stage audience) She was married five times. The argument that she was an operatic soprano is not entirely true, but she did perform light Opera such as Gilbert and Sullivan roles- for example (The Sorcerer) this had some American angles added to the dialogue ( a reference to Dow Jones, for example!) so might have been adapted for the Yank market though it takes place entirely in England. ( I saw the operetta a few years ago at the Loew"s theatre. Compared to modern occult tales, a bit inept. Also Lillian Russell may have been the prototype for the character Diamond Lil, but this could also refer to the well-built Hawaiian Queen Liliuokalani- sometimes called Queen Lil- and there is a Diamond Head on Hawaii!