CHILD CONDUCTS ORCHESTRA

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26987, 12 March 1953, Page 3

CHILD CONDUCTS ORCHESTRA

London Philharmonic Rehearsal

MEMBERS AMAZED AT PERFORMANCE I

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, March 11. An eight-year-old Italian girl conductor, Giannella de Marco, who likes chewing sweets while she conducts, and playing with her large collection of dolls when she is not conducting, led 80 members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra triumphantly through a rehearsal of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Weber’s “Der Freischutz,” and Wagner’s “Tannhauser” overture at London’s Albert Hall.

She came from Italy to conduct the orchestra in concerts in Manchester and London after appearances in most Continental capitals. ‘ ‘Most of us were amazed at her performance,” said Mr Eric Bravington, principal trumpet and chairman of the orchestra’s board of directors. The orchestra leader, Mr Andrew Cooper, was similarly impressed. “Giannella is a wonderfully talented child,” he said. “She completely disarmed us. She plays no tricks with the music, but leaves it very much to speak for itself.

“Take Beethoven’s Fifth, for example. She decided that the orchestra must know it by now, which is an intelligent thing for a child of eight to decide. I wish certain grown-ups would do the same.”

Giannella occupied a dressing room familiar to Sir Malcolm Sargent, Sir Adrian Boult and Sir John Barbirolli —but she made a gesture not familiar to these renowned conductors. At the first break in the rehearsal she jumped from the rostrum, ran to her room, and returned to hand three large boxes of chocolates around the orchestra. She took a chocolate herself and proceeded to concentrate on the opening bars of “Tannhauser.” But the rehearsal had to be abruptly halted while her father insisted she handed what remained of the sweet to him before he let her continue. So Giannella resorted to chewing splinters off the,end of her baton until her father again interrupted with, “Don’t chew your baton, darling.” The Home Office allowed the girl to conduct on condition that she received no payment. The profits go to national orphanages.