Pentacle: The Story of Carlos Salzedo and the Harp
Born in 1904, Marietta Bitter lived most of her life in the musical, theatrical and literary circles of New York. Her mother was a singer, and her father was the sculptor Karl Bitter. She graduated from the Veltin School in New York City, a school run on classic lines by two French ladies who believed in such things as seven years of Latin, and who promoted the idea of French conversation among the students between classes. As a result, Miss Bitter spoke fluent French as well as German, which was the language spoken at home.    She went to Bryn Mawr College for a year, but then decided to make music her career, an interest which began when her father gave her a harp on her eighth birthday. Her studies with Salzedo began in 1922, and thereafter, she was a part of the musical world in New York, especially that which dealt with contemporary ideas. She toured, gave recitals and taught privately, both in New York and in Los Angeles. She was often guest soloist with the Miami Symphony under its long time conductor John Bitter, her brother. Her husband was the actor Walter Abel. The Abels had two sons, Jonathan and Michael. Ms. Bitter died in 1979.