Footlight Flashes.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XIX, 9 November 1895, Page 581

Footlight Flashes.

By

The Prompter.

THE chief interest in the re-production of * The Mikado ’ by the Amateur Opera Club on Thurs-

day, Friday, and Saturday is in the impersonation of Nanki Pooh (tenor) by Mr G. M. Reid, who would have been in the cast originally had he been able to accept a part. Mr A. L. Edwards did not see his way to appear in the re-production, and rather than let the performance fall through, Mr G. M. Reid came to the rescue. There is no question as to his ability to play the part of ‘The Wandering Minstrel,’ and recent rehearsals, it is said, indicate that he is likely to infuse a good deal of life into the character. The booking so far is large, and a very good run is anticipated.

‘My SwKETHEaRT,’ Camille,’ ‘The Two Orphans,’ and ‘ Fowers of the Forest,’ have been produced in Auckland by the Greenwood Company since our last issue. As was said last week, ‘My Sweetheart ’ was an excellent performance, Miss Agatha Greenwood making a very decided ‘ hit ’ as Tina. This dainty little lady will probably become a great favourite in .Wellington and southern cities to be visited by the Company. She sings very prettily and, as will be seen from the photo on page 582, is decidedly one of the beauties of the modern stage. The whole family has indeed been exceptionally generously treated by Dame Nature. Four more charming faces it would be hard to find than those now reproduced from photos kindly lent me by Mrs Greenwood. ‘ The Two Orphans ’ followed this success, and was well received. It was, however, in ‘ Camille ’ that the greatest hit of the season was made. In this Miss Maribel Greenwood was seen to great advantage, and the play—an exceedingly difficult one —was capably acted throughout. A great feature of the Greenwood season is the lavish way in which the pieces are ‘ put on.’ Scenery and dresses are alike excellent, and it is quite evident that no expense has been spared in any direction. Southerners should certainly patronise the Greenwoods when they get the chance, as they are one of, if not the only company, which keeps the money in the colony. And besides four such pretty girls are always worth seeing anyway.

A VERY pretty Curistmas carol has reached us for review in this column, entitled, ‘ Ring on, () Bells !’ The words are by the Ven. Archdeacon Fenton, of Dunedin, and the very graceful setting by his son, Mr Herbert O. Fenton, B.A. The music is bell-like and melodious,

and the chorus is one which will make the carol extremely popular. Copies can be obtained from Mr Fenton, Clyde Avenue, Dunedin. The piece is neatly mounted on cardboard, and is therefore very handy for choirs. Two pretty vesper hymns by the same composer also deserve notice.

Herr Michael Balling, the viola-alta player, whose photograph we reproduce iu our present issue, was born at Wurzburg in Bavaria. Leaving school at the age of 14, he entered the Royal Conservatorium in that town as a violin student. During his first year there he heard the fine viola playing of Herr Ritter and was so impressed by it that he decided to take up the study of that instrument. Through the influence of the Directorofthe Conservatorium, hesucceeded in becoming a pupil of Ritter’s, and remained with him three or four years, during which time he gained as a prize given by

the late King of Bavaria, the instrument on which he now performs. In 1883 Herr Balling commenced his career as a professional musician by being engaged as one of the Festival Orchestra at Bayreuth, which brought him into contact with Wagner and Liszt, and also many of the best musicians in Germany. After the Festival he went to Mainz, where he was for two years viola player in the ‘ Stadische Capelle,’or City Orchestra. During this time he performed in various towns on the Rhine, and at a concert in Frankfort he played with the great pianist, Rubinstein, the latter’s magnificent C minor sonata for piano and viola. In 1886 he received the post of solo viola player at the Court Theatre at Schwerin, and also became solo viola player in the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, a position which is considered an eminent one by German musicians. During this period he played many times in Hamburg, Liibek, Rosstok, Berlin, and Hanover. In 1888 he was on tour some four months in Russia, and in the following year was in that country for eight months, during which time a sonata for viola-alta was written and dedicated to him by the Russian composer, Baron Vittinghof Scheel, better known as Boris Scheel. Leaving Russia, Herr Balling had again to go to Bayreuth, and during this season, at a soiree given by Madame Cosima Wagner, he, in conjunction with Herr Mottel, the conductor, who quite recently has been the rage of London, played with great success. In 1890 he served a year in the army at Schwerin, but at the same time appeared at many of the Court concerts. In 1893 he was asked by a friend if he would care to go to New Zealand, and having a desire to see as much of the world as possible, he decided to visit this country. Arriving in Nelson in September of that year, Herr Balling has since had charge of the School of Music and the various musical societies of that town. During his two years’ stay in New Zealand Herr Balling has made himself acquainted with almost every part of the two islands, including the King Country, through which he went last year.

TAKEN AT HIS WORD. Would-be Contributor (at Editor’s desk) : ‘ Here’s a Christmas joke, Mr Editor, that I guarantee was never in print before.' Editor (after reading it) : ‘ Don’t doubt your word in the least, sir.’