ARTURO TOSCANINI

La Scala Chorus and Orchestra

Boito Memorial

10 June 1948

Mefistofele : Prologue and Act III

Nerone : Act III and Act IV, Scene 2

7-8 August 1951

La Traviata , Prelude, Act I & III

24 June 1946

Beethoven Symphony No. 1 in C, Op 21

Toscanini and Boito were close friends and the Maestro was an admirer of Boito's genius, conducting celebrated performances of Mefistofele with Chaliapin and, in the late twenties, with De Angelis, Gigli and Favero. In 1924 Toscanini conducted the world premiere of Boito's long-awaited Nerone and it is this background that gives the Toscanini La Scala Memorial to Boito such added resonance. This is the final occasion when Toscanini conducted a staged performance and fortunately it was broadcast. The recording suffers from some strange microphone balances in Mefistofele but the Nerone is quite focused and delivers the score and the singing with considerable impact. Herva Nelli, Toscanini's Desdemona in his NBC Otello , is remarkable in both operas, while Siepi, Prandelli, Guerrera and Simionato bring their memorable voices to what was a truly historic occasion. With broadcast commentary (in Italian) and ovations, backed up by fascinating booklet notes by London Green, makes this release an enormously important one in Guild's Toscanini series.