Cultural Activities

Gertrude Weil, 1879 – 1971

Weil took full advantage of the many cultural resources offered by New York City. She often attended several concerts and plays a week, sometimes more than one in a single day, as she described in a letter to her family in Goldsboro:

In the afternoon we saw Ada Rehan in "Much Ado." It was simply fine & I enjoyed it more than anything in a long time. Ada Rehan as Beatrice was charming. The whole play is so finished in every detail. The costumes were gorgeous & it seemed like each woman had at least three & some of them six. The leading man, Richman, was good, too, as Benedick.

I tell you I'm getting sporty, seeing Ada Rehan & the opera in one day. At night, Adolph [Gertrude's uncle] took Edna [her cousin] to "The Geisha," & Cousin M[attie], Aunt Sarah, & I went to hear "The Huguenots." I never knew what so-called "heavy" music is—but now, since I've felt it, I guess I do. The best definition I know is, the kind that hasn't any tune—that you can't remember at all—the less, the heavier. However I did enjoy it, really, very much.

The concert was—I don't know what adjective, or adjectives to use. All I can say is I enjoyed everything in it thoroughly & could have sat through it repeated four times on a stretch. Maybe if I go to Sunday-night grand concerts often, I will really like music after a while.

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