TOSCANINI

2 December 1945 – Complete Concert

Bellini: Introduction and Druid’s Chorus
Verdi: Te Deum
Boito: Mefistofele prologue

Mixed Chorus, Boys Chorus
Nicola Moscona, bass
NBC Symphony Orchestra

Toscanini first conducted Norma in 1892 and the Italian premiere of Verdi’s Te Deum , the score, which he received from the hand of the aged composer in 1898. He was also world-famed for his recreation of Boito’s Mefistofele with Chaliapin, thus this concert brings together important elements of the great Maestro’s past. The concert, in varying sound, offers the Boito work in stupendous sonics and represented a fascinating and valuable glimpse into Toscanini’s past when some 50 years earlier, he was greatly famed as an operatic conductor. The program notes are by Bill Youngren with photos by Robert Hupka.