The audience in San Francisco's huge, hangarlike Civic Auditorium was in fine fettle. Even Master of Ceremonies John Charles Thomas couldn't resist getting into the act. "I'm glad to see such a crowd," he roared. "Word must have got around that I won't sing tonight. Ho, ho, ho!"
In fact, word had got around that the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra was giving a tombola (lottery) party to honor beloved old (74 next week) Conductor Pierre Monteux—and incidentally to raise a little extra money for the orchestra's contingency fund. Seven thousand San Francisco music lovers filed in and expectantly awaited the guest...
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