When the flop-haired little man popped out of the wings and strode briskly to the podium, the sedate English audience in Manchester's green-walled Albert Hall jumped to its feet, cheering like a football crowd. As he bowed time & again, Conductor John Barbirolli's black mane fell over his eyes and he had to push it back. After five minutes of solid ovation, he turned, with tears on his cheeks, to lead Manchester's Hallé Orchestra through the night's concert.
John Barbirolli was the most popular man in Manchester last week, and with reason. A few...
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