Music: Rival Tours

The audience were disgusted, and—being Brazilian—showed it. Smarting under their boos and hoots, the conductor of the Italian opera troupe stamped out of the theatre in Rio de Janeiro. To carry on the performance, the orchestra as one man boosted a 19109-year-old cellist to the conductor's stand. He led his men through the whole opera (Aida) from memory. That performance, 54 years ago, was Conductor Arturo Toscanini's first. Last week white-haired Maestro Toscanini made ready to play his first return engagement in Rio. With the NBC Symphony he sailed on a South American tour, to play four concerts in Rio, two...

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!