Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-11-17

Queen of Brilliants'' is frum the pen of the same man who pcnned the simple though none the less delightful melodies or Erminie." There is scarcely a num- Der In this latest opera by Jakobowski that IS deserving of genuine commenda- ton, except 1t be the finale of the second act, which Is very pretty. The orchestra ton will not please the veriest tyro. It is nonsatisfytng and very brassy In spots
 AS Tor the production itself, nothing better has ever been seen in New York when regarded strictly from the stand point or tho costumer and scene painter It is said that Mir. Abbey expended $40. 900 on ''Thc Queen of Brilliants'' before the curtain rose on the first performance, and I can readily believe it.
 Miss Russell appears less stout than when she was last seen here in Princes Nicotine" and her voice is very much more reliable. In fact, she has never sung better and seldom looked handsOmer Her voice of course lacks culture and probably always will, for she has passed the time when she would be willing to admit that she needs training. but her notes still have that clear silvory sweetness that made the prima donna famous. Miss Russell should, however, cschCw runs and trills. She has not sufficient control over her vocal chords to execute them ncCu- ratcly, and 1t Is foolish for her to direCt attention to her own shortcomings
 Miss Annie Myers made tho real hit of the opera in n very small part Hubert Wilkc was as suited and spasInodic ns ever, and Digby Bell did not know most of his lines, and those which he did rc- member were cxcruciatingly unfunny, 90 that, on the whole, think it may bc said without exaggGratiOn that ''Thc Queen of Brilliants" is an almost unqualified fail ure.
 It will bc remembered that some month. ago the cables announced that Marie Tcrn pest had signed with George EdwarIlCS of London for several years and would not return to this country t0 keep her con tract with Manager Fred C. Whitney. Mir. Whitney at once engaged Louise Bcaudct in Miss Tcmpcst's placc. few weeks later he was knocked of his pins, figurl- lively speaking. by the arrival in New York of the Dresden China prima don na. Miss Tempest had really signed with MT. EdwartleS. 1t was said. but as her contract with Mir. Whitney stipulated that he should have n suitable opera provided, q good company engaged and n dignified route booked hy a certain day she expect Cd to catch the man sgcr mapping, as she had, of course. b,vn u.iiictl Of his arrange mcnt with Miss BCauG-. IL was hinted that she expected tn get = money consid- CrHtiuu from MT. Whitnc.- in exchange for release from "A COntt s:T which she had violated williuIly. and lahSr the an nouncCmcnt was made that all this had happened.
 Now. however, LCander Richardson, who is addicted tO the habit of getting n great deal of exclusive and accurate in side theatrical information, comes forward with the announcement that when the pretty Miss Etherington arrived in New York she was handed n route and an opera by the representative of Mir. Whitney. In short, she was completely baked, and she 1t was instead of the astutc manager from Detroit, who was obliged tO pay for re- lease from the agreement which both then wished had never been entered into