Arturo v. Benito

Arturo wields the baton, Benito the thunderbolt. Arturo Toscanini, most famed of Italian opera conductors, has refused for three successive years to allow his orchestra at the great Milan opera house, La Scala, to play "Giovanezza," the Fascist hymn. To the ears of Benito Mussolini reports have come that Toscanini has defended his refusal as follows: "Never! I refuse to turn La Scala into a market place for Fascist demonstrations. They have the square outside and also the Galleria nearby for that, but while I conduct the Scala orchestra, it will remain the home of opera and never will it become a propaganda platform."

With unusual patience, II Duce Benito has brooded long. Recently he summoned the directors of La Scala, delivered an ultimatum:

"Never will my feet cross the threshold of La Scala until Toscanini, the anti-Fascist, goes from there. How dare he refuse to play 'Giovanezza'?"

Toscanini continued to refuse. To the flustered directors he cried: "I will conduct 'Giovanezza' never and for nobody!"

Resolute, he was as good as his word, completed all but the last few weeks of the season without conducting a note of "musical propaganda." Then rumors reached him that Fascist myrmidons were preparing to garner his scalp. Prudent, he withdrew from the theatre, alleging "poor health." Despatches reported last week that he had never seemed more robust.

Dr. Karl Muck, pre-War conductor of the Boston Symphony, similarly refused (in 1918) to conduct "The Star Spangled Banner." Ousted, he now conducts for the Berlin State Opera, is considered the greatest living interpreter of Wagnerian scores.