1900's The Arts | The Letters of Arturo Toscanini

Letters

By: Arturo Toscanini

Date: 1905–1909

Source: Sachs, Harvey. ed., trans. The Letters of Arturo Toscanini. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2002, 69–80.

About the Author: Arturo Toscanini (1867–1957) was one of the world's most legendary conductors. Under his leadership, he elicited some of the most breathtaking and energetic orchestral performances of the twentieth century. He introduced radical changes to the way operas and orchestras were run. In addition to his musical accomplishments, Toscanini was outspoken in his opposition to fascism in Italy and Germany. Born in Parma, Italy, Toscanini first came to the United States to lead New York City's Metropolitan Opera in 1908. But there resistance to his demands for artistic control ultimately led to his departure in 1914, although his reforms had been instrumental in bringing a new level of professionalism to the music...