Death of Scotti

In the obituary column of a Naples newspaper a few paid lines last week published a fact that spread sadness throughout the operatic world. Antonio Scotti was dead at 70, a victim of arteriosclerosis. Headlines and footlights had been his for nearly half a century. Death came to him when he was alone in a Naples hospital, after having lived for months in poverty, dependent on occasional contributions sent by U. S. friends.

When Scotti announced his retirement from the Metropolitan Opera Company three years ago, Manhattan newspapers devoted columns to his proud career, his intelligent use of a voice that was never booming, his subtle impersonations of such villains as Iago in Otello, Chim-Fen in L'Oracolo, Scarpia in Tosca (TIME, Jan. 30, 1933). When he sang his farewell performance a great audience cheered, wept, sang For He's a Jolly Good Fellow. When he died in Naples last week there were only four mourners to follow him to his grave.

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