New-York tribune., 1920-11-21


knew SO we'll how to do and really did
during the arduous years Of lighting
for his native land is in any event
worthy Of universal recognition. His
program Of action was a dual one
trst, TO bring into play every resource
IN heroic music capable Of alleviating
and stimulating; second to sustain,
by means o. his art. the patriotic and
Warllke spirit Of the people 1t was a
great undertaking, one worthy of
nm. and crowned with deserved sue
cess. In July, 1915, in the Arena of
Milan. he organized and directed 8
series of concerts in which. all in all
tants took part. Patriotic hymns in
a. the splendor Of tremendous tonal
outburst thrilled with enthusiasm the
throngs OF auditors.
The season OF opera conducted by
the maestro at the Dal Verne Teatro
in Milan netted receipts amounting to
100000 lire, which we're devoted to
charity. Twelve wonderful concerts
given at the Conservatory during the
winter Of l917-l8 for the relief o.
lndlgent artists brought n more than
100 600 lire, u the front as well Tos-
canini established and set in motion
the conbatants and so useful in main
t.lni,g tacir morale. u Was an open-
air stage, IN the form OF an amphithe-
ater, lying among The green meadows
ana the trCWnlNg rocks Of . winter
ercampment
One day. day Of terrible rial On
Monte Santo, while the lt".iau batal-
:ons we're advancing 70 make an attack
III force, the maestro asked and OBJ
tanned permission to take part in the
action as volunteer. On the summit
OF the mountain he fell in with mill
tary band, and with simple directness.
with all the prestige attaching TO his
name, his soul filed with enthusiasm
ne responded TO the appeal voiced by
,he bandsmen. Under fire. conducted
by him. nusic fell on the ears of the
assau-tlrg battalions. The inspiring
melodies OF patriotic hymns sounded
on the ar, together with the hiss Of
flying projectiles. The whole battle
field echoed 70 the songs which Tosca-
minis baton called into being and
which filled the atmosphere. a lrsmos
passed over the turmoil Of destruction
the breath Of victory, And, once thu
victory had been gained, Toscanlnl
1ouNd himself recognized By 1he en-
mander IN chief as one of The most ac-
tive contributing factors TO the success
Of that glorious day Of battle, and, as
such, accorded the silver medal for
valor
With The advent Of peace Toscanini
resumed his work in the more serene
field Of art. He gave himself I'D 70 the
reorganization Of Mi3an's La Scala. and
the cid opera house was renovated un-
der his direction. A fresh modernis.
current Of musical ife was Unused
81 ,..
worthwhile ,epertory was resnaped. in
so lar az the material Tor dramatic
performance vas concerned. However.
IN order that Toscanini's laDcrs of
operate reconstruction may be guar
anteed full and swift success next
year, ne found = necessary 10 take
steps IN good season 10 constitute :
stable orchestral organism. He set TO
work with Jealous devotion, and Oh the
eve Of inaugurating a new per.od o.
activity OF Milan La Scala theater
he VIII come to America to show the
mett!c Of the orchestral instrument
which he expects to use 20 uphold the
cause OF art at la Scala and revive
tnose glories Which in the past have re-
tected honor and fame on Italy
To restore TO the Scala It's oldtime
splendor, to assure il an artistic ex-
istence IN perpetuity BY providing the
proper means, ar removed from any
speculative considerations, Of prepar-
ng fitting number Of spectacles to be
tehearsed and performed whenever It
may seem opportune and TO enrich the
.opertory with a proper complement Of
scores-in order that this may be ac-
complished La Scala has had the ben
eft OF Arturo Toscanini's energy as an
organizer His name. a guarantee Of
serious aims and hard work, has drawn
about him such variety OF collaborat-
ing forces as TO seem almost miracu-
Ions. The municipality Of Milan mas
made over its rights Of ownership IN
favor of an autonomous central govern
ment. The boXholders, shaking OF in
turn their traditional ind ference. nave
agreed to join the municipality in re-
nouncing their proprietary claims. A
group OF citizens, without requesting
any privileges in return has offered
he millions needed for the renovation
Of the buildings adjoining La Scala in
order to give the theatcr more space
and the proper surroundings. in kesp-
ng with the entirely modern arch
.ectural plan. The guiding spirit o.
all this is Arturo Toscanini who has
already voluntarily undertaken the