Photograph dedicated and signed by the renowned Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini – 1938.
Arturo Toscanini [1867–1957], Italian conductor – considered one of the greatest conductors of all time and recognized as a Righteous Among the Nations. Born in Parma, Italy, to a working-class family, Toscanini showed exceptional musical talent from a young age in cello, piano, and composition. Early in life, he became a leading figure in Italian music and went on to perform worldwide, conducting both opera and symphonic music. With the rise of fascism, he left his native Italy and refused to perform in Nazi Germany. As a fierce opponent of both Italian and German fascism, Toscanini refused to conduct in Bayreuth (Bavaria) in 1933, and after the Anschluss, he also declined the invitation to perform in Salzburg in 1938. He was a loyal supporter of the Palestine Orchestra from the day it was founded and conducted the opening performances of its first two concerts in 1936–1937. He was deeply admired by the Jewish community in the Land of Israel. Before the outbreak of World War II, Toscanini left Europe and moved to the United States, where in 1937 the NBC Symphony Orchestra was established especially for him. With this orchestra, he performed and toured regularly, appearing on American radio and television until 1954. These broadcasts made him the first true conducting star of the modern mass media era.
Photograph: 14×9 cm. Original wooden and glass frame: 16×22 cm. Very good condition.
