BARNES, Bertha L

Bertha Ludington Barnes was born on 24.nov.1869 in USA, Illinois and died on 19.aug.1913 on Switzerland, Leysin. She was a pianist, singer, graduate of the Ogontz School Philadelphia, by 1895 was already an accomplished musician and composer. At the age of 25, she married the 39 year old millionaire lawyer Clinch-Smith who was a popular figure in New York society and was one of Mrs. Astor's '400', the couple became well known in New York and Long Island society.They resided in Smithtown Long Island, a town founded by her husband's ancestors
In 1904 they moved to Paris, where she pursued her musical career and received much attention for organizing an all-female orchestra. By 1911, her obsession with music was causing problems in the marriage and there were rumors of a divorce, her husband returned to Smithtown in April 1911, but January 1912 returned to Paris at Bertha's request who agreed to give up her career and go back to live at Smithtown, it was decided that her husband would go back alone and she would follow in a few months, on his return to New York he perished on the Titanic, she died 16 months later from tuberculosis at a sanatorium in Leysin. Some of her works include:
Traumerei. Piano. op2
The Arago. Piano. op3
Pensee fugitive. Piano. op4
Tyrolienne. Piano. op5
Estelle. Valse. 1895
Michaux Club. Valse. 1895
music Bertha L. Barnes
performed winter 1894/1895 at the Michaux Club in New York
The song of the Varuna. Piano. op9
music Mrs. Clinch-Smith
pub A. Quinzard,Paris 1902