Search - Georges Bizet, Jules Massenet, Gaetano Donizetti :: Arturo Toscanini: Il Mito [Box Set]

Arturo Toscanini (1867-1957) was the most famous conductor of the entire 20th century-especially to Americans, who revered him during his years at the helm of the NBC Symphony Orchestra and, before that, the New York Philharmonic. However, he was a hero in Italy too, where he played cello in the premiere of Verdi's Otello, conducted by the composer, and went on to become one of the most eminent conductors and a personal friend of Puccini, conducting the premieres of La boheme, La fanciulla del West and Turandot. He was appointed chief conductor and artistic director of Milan's La Scala, Italy's greatest opera house, in 1898, and presented many new operas as well as the Italian premieres of others. This four-CD set mainly surveys recordings Toscanini made at La Scala.