Esther Dale
New York City’s December /January weather can be mild or brutally cold. It was brutally cold in December 1920 and leading into January 1921. Escaping that weather to make a two week trip to the sunshine and warmth of Bermuda would be many people’s dreams. Add to that two week warm weather Bermuda trip accompanying soprano Esther Dale. That’s quite the incentive! “Am planning to go to Bermuda Dec 27 th for a two week trip as Esther Dale’s accompanist. She will do some of my things. Can I do anything for you – in Hamilton – make any connection with any music stores (if there are any!).” The quote is from Gena Branscombe’s November 8, 1920 letter to Arthur Schmidt, her publisher. Imagine a woman in 1920 taking a two week break from New York City to perform in Bermuda while leaving her husband at home to care for their three daughters, run the household and work full-time! Gena Branscombe was an in...