TOSCANINI CAPTIVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20922, 11 July 1931, Page 9 (Supplement)

TOSCANINI CAPTIVE.

' INCIDENT IN ITALY.

EUROPEAN MUSICAL SENSATION,

■ A. sensation was caused in European musical circles recently by the prevalence of a rumour that Signor Ai'turo loscanini, the famous Italian musical condtictor, was being kept a prisoner in his • house in Milan. • ' 'Signer Toscanini, who was engaged to conduct the Wagner Festival at Bayttuth, commencing on Juno 20, was involved in an incident at Bologna, when he refused to open his concert with the Fascist hymn, and as a consequence, he ttas booed and hissed by irate Fascists He was the subject of many sensational rumours, his passport was said to ha\e teen taken from him, and he was said to bo living in a state of open arrest. In 'New York, where the musician ; is conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestr.a, there were questipns asked conceinipg what was considered to be the hig > >■ handed action that the Italian Dictator ■ had taken. As a reply to the rumours circulating - abroad, the Italian authorities issued a '■tateraent that Signor Toscanini s passport had expired and that he hod applied 'Or.a renewal, but that in tho meantime, acting on the advice of the authorities, •Signor Toscanini was keeping to his home -j in Milan, and guards had been placed ®utside the residence to protect the contactor from possible attacks by headstrong young Fascists. : t ,The international musical world j. - throbbed with excitement at the flows, r-r". j. in s P itp of tlie statement issued, a ' persisted that Toscanini was ' detained against his will, because ■ n® had incurred official displeasure. Sir Thomas Bcecham refused to comment on Miat he considered to be purely an Milan question, but M.'"Serge Koussevit-/ ; Bk y» the famous Russian conductor, teleTheatre in Milan " "'hat he would not carry out his contract ,■0 conduct there until Signor Toscanini accorc^ satisfaction. He stated Ut - ad ■ no . d esire to mix up in politics ■ Cl' i' AVas a case tho'higher interests - sr " ' .. . . c: v.:. -V,-' .• . • ■