ITALY: Arturo v. Benito

Arturo wields the baton, Benito the thunderbolt. Arturo Toscanini, most famed of Italian opera conductors, has refused for three successive years to allow his orchestra at the great Milan opera house, La Scala, to play "Giovanezza," the Fascist hymn. To the ears of Benito Mussolini reports have come that Toscanini has defended his refusal as follows: "Never! I refuse to turn La Scala into a market place for Fascist demonstrations. They have the square outside and also the Galleria nearby for that, but while I...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!