An English Cellist Conies To Auckland

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 138, 1 September 1927, Page 16

An English Cellist Conies To Auckland

Mr. Francis Bate to Leave Christchurch TALENTED PERFORMER In selecting Auckland for his future place of residence Mr. Francis Bate, the well-known English cellist, has made, a decision that will no doubt be as warmly welcomed by local musical organisations as it will be viewed with

regret by the Southern societies. A talented musician, Mr. Bate, in addition to appearing as a soloist at most of the leading concerts has also conducted for various organisations in Christchurch, where fo.r several years he has been a familiar figure in musical circles. Mr. Bate was born at Wandsworth, in Warwick, and on his mother’s side was descended from Murillo, the painter. He commenced his musical education at the age of five, when he took up the study of the violin. This he discontinued at the age of eight, taking up the violoncello instead upon the advice of his uncle, Mr. George Marston, a well-known English ’cellist. At a very early age he was hailed as a boy prodigy and as such made a number of concert appearances. At the age of 14 he joined the Lozell Hall Orchestra under Yoxell, and a year later was made solo cellist. Despite his early success his studies were not neglected, and under the world-famous Johan Hock he increased his knowledge of the instrument as well as developing his musical training in all branches of theoretical knowledge. He was, next associated with the La Scala Orchestra, the leading theatre in the Midlands of England, eventually joining up with the Appleby Matthews Symphony Orchestra, later known as the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Bate accompanied his father on a health trip to New Zealand, and becoming impressed with the musical possibilities of the Dominion settled at Christphurch. He has now taken up residence in Auckland and has accepted engagements to appear at forthcoming concerts.

Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana,” and Weber’s “Mass in G,” will be sung by the Auckland Choral Societjr at its next concert. Mr. Hubert Carter has been secured for the tenor role.

Mrs. Leonio B. Blumenthal, widow of the late popular composer, Jacques Blumenthal, died in February, leaving a net personality of £163,436. Her will provided bequests of £3,000 and £I,OOO as endowments for open scholarships at the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music.

Nicolo Paganini recently died in Milan, leaving a large sum of money made in the manufacturing business, a valuable violin, and the manuscripts of three concertos. He was himself a gifted musician; the violin and manuscripts he inherited from his greatgrandfather, Nicolo the Great.

The death was announced recently of Mrs. Carl Rosa, second wife and widow of the founder of the Carl Rosa Opera Company. She was in her 69th year and had been unwell for some months. It was nearly 40 years ago that, as a member of the opera ballet, she first met Mr. Carl Rosa, who married her after the death of his first wife, Mme. Parepa-Rosa, the celebrated singer. In the time of her husband she sat on the board of directors of the company, later becoming controlling director with Mr. Alfred Van Noorden in 1917, until the sale of the company in 1923.