New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-11
Y erdiana
"reminiscences of Impresario-He Worship-The
Composer in His Last Years
By Giulio Gatti-Casazza

hat which the pictures have made so
well known, the Grand Old Man pro-
ceeded with measured step, his head
held high, his body perfectly erect and
his eyes directed straight ahead. After
having crossed the Piazza Aquayerde
he entered the Via Bslbi, the great mu-
nicipal artery for which Genoa justly
has deserved the title of superb" an
artery solemnly magnificent; then the
Piazza Annunciata, Via Garibaldi, Via
Carroll, Piazza Fontane Marose, thence
70 the Piazza Carlo Felice No one
paid any attention to MIN or seemed to
know him. From line to time he
stopped at some shop window 10 look
in like Q good middle class provincial,
and followed him attentively, not
missing a SINGLE one Of his movements,
while my head was full of operate fig
ures and Of music which did not eX-
actiy belong TO the Trilogy. At a GER
tain moment | asked myself in the
style Of De Amicis: What would you
do if Verdi should demand of you
now: What right have you, who abused
"Trovatore" and aida" to undertake
to follow me like detective? Answer
me-"
I should have died with a stroke Of
-apoplectic shame!
Step by step the Maestro reaches the
Piazza. Before the theatre there is a
booth where newspapers are sold;
there he stops and buys the "Corriere
della Sera" and the "Caffaro," holding
them carefully and putting them in his
pocket. Then he walks toward horse
car. / follow him, and when he is
about to enter the vehicle, with a rapid
movement / start 20 board it at the
other end to continue my loving con-
temptation so rich in fantasies. But
the Maestro sees me and appears TO
recognize me. and with another i'm
perious glance nails me TO the earth,
while the tramcar starts of and / am
left behind, Disconnected. like an idiot.
Some years after, when | related this
experience to the Maestro. he listened
with interest, then with smile replied
TO me:
"At that age a youngster with good
legs ought to follow. with so much pa
thence and so much admiration, only
d pretty woman"
do not remember exactly if it was
January 10 or 20, l90l-certainly 1T
was on the afternoon of one or the
other day-that Arturo Toscanini en-
tered my Office in the Teatro ALA Scala,
Milan. his expression very serious and
panied. and said TO me almost in a
whisper:
as it long since you have seen
Verdi"
more than a year" replied. "But
Why"
1--WE Just come from the Hotel Milan,
where went TO see him, and l carried
away with me saddening PRESENT.
ment." said Toscanini. Verdi is much
changed. He seems suddenly TO have
realized the burden of his great age.
How sad he appeared how weary and
Indifferent to things! We talked about
the Maschera' of Mascagni (the opera
had had its first performance at the
Scala few days before), and when |
told him that the music that was most
applauded was the Pavana in the sec
ond act the Maestro stopped me TO ask
what was a Pavana. Then, recovering
himself while was explaining, he add
et. oh. yes, yes; Of course, | under
stand; now | remember
Then" continued Toscanini, "our
conversation began to drag, and ! came
away with my heart frightened. In fact,
I had no longer found the Verdi l had
known BEFORE"
Sad 10 say, the gloomy presentments
Of Toscanini we're more than justihed.
On the morning of January Y Verdi
Rad hardly arisen from bed when he
had a stroke Of apoplexy which left
him barely alive; indeed, only the fac
ulty Of respiration remained.
During his six long days Of agony
the PROSTATE giant but once showed
signs of recovering consciousness. !
have these interesting details (Which
I believe, have never been published
from the lips Of Professor Grocco, the
celebrated physician who attended
Verdi in his last illness after having
been his trusted medical adviser foi
many years.
"The Maestro Professor Groecc
told ne. "ay stretched on his bed for
nearly two days in profound sleep
his eyes tightly closed, with rarely tho
least tremor Of a muscle. Every at
tempt with excitants or stimulants 70