Toscanini

Arturo Toscanini graduated with honors from the music conservatory in his native Parma in 1885, and joined an opera company in Brazil, as a cellist. When the conductor walked out, young Arturo stepped in to conduct the orchestra in Verdi’s Aida, without a score! He returned to Italy and established himself as the pre-eminent conductor of the time, becoming chief conductor at La Scala; and later principal conductor for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and the Metropolitan Opera.

The onset of the second world war caused him to return to New York, where the NBC Symphony Orchestra was created for him in 1937, and disbanded when he retired in 1954.

Toscanini became the incarnation of music for a vast audience all around the world. His rehearsal tantrums were legendary, but he could command the best from his musicians. There is no doubt of his genius, which is obvious in the many recorded performances that he left behind.