The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-02-12
VILE. AIbani,s Diamonds,

The fame of Mademoisele Albani, as
an opera singer, has now become world
wide and quite naturally everything which
pertains to her career and success is inter
esting to the public and eagerly read. 1t
may not be generally known in this section
that Mile Albani is the daughter of Mr..
Laurgianess, who during the years of 1864
to 1867 made periodical visits through this
section, from Albany to Burlington, tuning
pianos, and who from his gentlemanly de-
meanor and musical skill was gladly well
coined to many Of the best families on the
rorte. Mile Albani was then receiving in
struction from the best masters in the old
world, and at the time of her first appear
ance in Europe was at once acknowledged
as an artiste of rare promise. Her sue
cess during her time in this country the
past year has been only cqualcd by such
great cantatriccs as Jenny Lind, Parepa,
Nilsson and Lucca, and she is at the pres
ent time winni ig golden opinions at the
West.
reporter of the Chicago Inter Ocean
has been interviewing Mile. Albani and got
view, by special favor, of her diamonds,
with the following effect:
''Sec! here are some of my jewels y
"The lid of a capacious casket was thrown
back, and there, piled in a confused mass,
myriad of tangled stars scintillating gal
axies and cleaning consultations met the
eye at every glance it was imprisoned light
seeking escape; miniature Golconda, the
product Of gold mine, and all in that
small measure. Diamonds, emeralds, ru-
bies, and pearls glowed and twinkled.
What sight for woman "This l ad-
mire greatly. 1t was given me on my ap-
pearance at the marriage OF the Duke of
Edinburg and the Grand Duchess Marie.
The Emperor of Russia presented it," She
lifted as she spoke a gold-mounted star,
set with great brilliants, hanging ttached
to a double necklace of pearls and gold.
1t was fortune in itself. "This was pre-
scented by the subscribers at the end of my
Moscow season. Is it not beautiful ?" and
she lifted jeweled butterfly that rested
upon the top of the collection, as though
slipping diamond delights. 1t quivered and
sparkled at every motion. The body was
composed of an immmense emerald, and
the wings of diamonds bordered with ru-
bies, emeralds and sapphires. 1t was larger
than any living insect Of the species. "This
was given me by Queen Victoria" and she
lifted necklace of pearls with large dia-
mond and pearl cross attached. "The
Queen never goes to opera since Prince
Albert's death, and those artists whom she
desires to hear 60 to Windsor and sing in
private before her. She treated me with
much consideration, like a mother, in fact,
and was pleased most when l sang the old
Scotch ballads Robin Adair' and Blue
Bells of Scotland. This you may have
heard Of before, as the papers mentioned
it," and she lifted a diadem OF brilliants
studded with diamond boquets. Gan In.
dian Prince threw it, and struck me on the
forehead. They thought l was seriously
injured, because staggered and came near
falling. My forehead was badly bruised,
and the Prince was grieved lest he had
done me harm. was bowling as he threw
his gift, and SO it struck me. 1t was in
London, last season, at my benefit"
Then came a feather, about six inches
long, Of fretted silver, set with diamonds.
No ostrich ever were such a plume. An.
other gift of Prince was a parure oe dia-
monds, pearls and turquoises. The Earl
of Dudley was represented bv a massive
gold bracelet, with the word "AmIte" sci
in diamond letters, each of which was ar
inch long. But why enumerate more
Theae were handfuls-yea, quarts of pre-.
cious gems, tiaras, bracelets, fnger-rings
earrings, jeweled flowers, still untouched
1t is useless to attempt an estimate of tn,
value of these costly evidences of the ap
probation of her admirers. If the rcade
can judge of the worth of diamonds in heap
he may be qualified to compute the valu,
of these, but not otherwise. There wer,
single stones that would bring $4,000, per
haps 100000, in any market. 81 like dia
monds," she said, and who could blam
her?