Rosalie Balmer Smith Cale (September 24, 1875 - January 4, 1958)[1] was an American pianist and composer,[2][3] whose operettas were performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and New York.
Cale was born in St. Louis to a musical family. Her parents were Rosalie T. Balmer (“Sally”) and Thaddeus Smith.[1] Her mother (1849-1934) composed several pieces for violin.[4] Her maternal grandfather was Charles Balmer of Balmer & Weber Music Company in St. Louis. Her paternal grandfather, the actor[5] Sol Smith, owned and operated the St. Louis Theatre.[6] She married the violinist[7] Charles Allen Cale in 1897.[8]
Cale studied music first with her mother and grandparents, then with Abraham I. Epstein and Ernest R. Kroeger. She taught in St. Louis for over 30 years.[9] Her papers are archived at the Missouri Historical Society.[10]
Cale’s music was published by Balmer & Weber. Her compositions include: