March 15, 1915 - H.M.S. PINAFORE

As you may have noticed there was not much correspondence between Joe and Helen of late. That is not to say that there was none, but that none survived.

Helen was going through a major life change at this time. It was rare for a girl to have the opportunity to attend college, let alone Barnard College. Helen was doing well in her studies and yet she chose to withdrawn of her own choice to pursue her love of music and singing. Helen was an independent thinker; ahead of her time. She was immediately cast in a production of H. M. S. Pinafore. Below you will see the scan of the original program cover and the inside that lists the cast. Helen was 21 years of age.

Helen was cast in the lead role as Josephine, the Captain's daughter. Her decision to leave school must have seemed to make sense to her. In reading the cast names I noticed that her 15 year old sister Lillian Rosenstein had a minor role in the opera. Lillie had a great theatrical personality and I am sure looked up to her older sister.

Here is an illustration that  I found of the Lexington Opera House (Terrace Garden) where Helen performed. I guess we will never know if Joe was in attendance.

The next postcard from Joe will be on March 23rd.