Patti Russell

Patti Russell was an Australian soprano singer, playing in grand opera and Gilbert and Sullivan for nine years (1919–1928) to universal acclaim. Little is known of her early life, or any subsequent activities.

Patti Russell in 1927

Russell was born of Scottish ancestry^[1] in Sydney and, with help from a Government scholarship, trained at the State Conservatorium of Music^[2] under Mrs Haffenden Smith^[3] and Madame Slapoffski.^[4] While still a student, she was chosen at a NSW State Orchestra concert, to sing Schubert's aria The Shepherd on the Rock.^[5]

In 1918, against her parents' wishes,^[6] she joined Frank Rigo's Grand Opera Company (taken over by J. C. Williamson in 1919), winning praise for her Nedda in Pagliacci^[7] and Marguerita in Faust.^[8] She came to public attention for the way she replaced Amy Castles as Mimi in La bohème at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney on 29 September 1919, with no opportunity of rehearsal.^[9] She also stepped in for Strella Wilson as Elsie Maynard in The Yeomen of the Guard.^[10]

Other favorite roles were Antonia in The Tales of Hoffmann, Phyllis in Iolanthe,^[11] Lili in Lilac Time, Mad Margaret in Ruddigore, and Yum Yum in The Mikado, perhaps her last role in Australia.^[12] The star of so many performances did not appear again in newspaper advertisements or reviews. There was no benefit for her, no farewell, just the occasional historical reference.^[13][14]

A less flattering critic was A. L. Kelly:

Miss Patti Russell does unequal work; sometimes singing well, but frequently showing limitations of style and vocal resource. She looked well and did her best work as Phyllis in Iolanthe.^[15]

In January 1936 someone reported she had been seen in England.^[16]

References

1. "The Playhouse". The Mercury. Vol. CXXVIII, no. 18, 796. Tasmania, Australia. 2 February 1928. p. 5. Retrieved 1 August 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
2. "Conservatorium of Music". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 25, 249. New South Wales, Australia. 7 December 1918. p. 15. Retrieved 31 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
3. "Mrs Haffenden Smith's Recital". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 24, 318. New South Wales, Australia. 16 December 1915. p. 12. Retrieved 18 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
4. "Vocal Recital". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). No. 11980. New South Wales, Australia. 3 October 1917. p. 9. Retrieved 17 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
5. "A Sydney Songbird". The Sunday Times (Sydney). No. 1820. New South Wales, Australia. 12 December 1920. p. 26. Retrieved 31 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
6. "Not a Stage Child". The World's News. No. 1315. New South Wales, Australia. 26 February 1927. p. 5. Retrieved 31 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
7. "Australian Grand Opera". Table Talk. No. 1750. Victoria, Australia. 6 February 1919. p. 26. Retrieved 17 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
8. "Grand Opera Season Ended". The Sydney Mail. Vol. XVI, no. 393. New South Wales, Australia. 8 October 1919. p. 26. Retrieved 17 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
9. "A New Mimi". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). No. 12600. New South Wales, Australia. 30 September 1919. p. 5. Retrieved 17 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
10. "Amusements". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 26, 247. New South Wales, Australia. 18 February 1922. p. 15. Retrieved 31 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
11. "Crotchets & Quavers". The Sun (Sydney). No. 912. New South Wales, Australia. 19 September 1920. p. 21. Retrieved 1 August 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
12. "Amusements". The Mercury (Hobart). Vol. CXXIX, no. 19, 053. Tasmania, Australia. 29 November 1928. p. 7. Retrieved 1 August 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
13. "Rigo Grand Opera". The Forbes Advocate. Vol. 18, no. 9. New South Wales, Australia. 21 January 1929. p. 2. Retrieved 1 August 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
14. ""Ruddigore"". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 30, 596. New South Wales, Australia. 25 January 1936. p. 14. Retrieved 1 August 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
15. A. L. Kelly (February 1927). "Gilbert and Sullivan". The Triad. Retrieved 1 August 2022 – via Trove.
16. "A Stroller in the Town". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Vol. 5, no. 294. New South Wales, Australia. 25 January 1936. p. 6. Retrieved 18 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.