The honor of a La Scala premiere is great, but the abuse is often greater. Verdi-happy Milan audiences, traditionally suspicious of new operas, have vented their scorn at scores of composers, including Puccini, whose Madame Butterfly took a fearful drubbing in 1904, and Menotti, whose Consul was hooted last year (TIME, Feb. 5, 1951). Last week a handsomely dressed full house in the 174-year-old Teatro alla Scala gave another honored visitor the works.
Argentina's foremost composer, Juan José Castro,* 57, had reason to believe he would fare pretty well. A panel of distinguished judges, including Stravinsky, Honegger and La Scala's principal...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
