Music: Fascist Exaltation

Seats at Milan's La Scala sold for as high as $38 apiece one night last week. Black-shirted Fascists peppered the brimming opera audience. When a thick-set old man showed himself in the orchestra pit the whole house broke into a bedlam of cheers. "Evviva, evviva Mascagni!"

At 71 the composer of Cavalleria Rusticana was conducting the premiere of Nero, his 18th opera. The occasion brought forth Italy wide acclaim because, besides having written one brief masterpiece, Pietro Mascagni has been a shrewd and ardent Fascist. Government authorities boosted the new opera long...

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