71,715 views
A story about the life and work of the great Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini, about the beginning of his successful career in Brazil in 1886. The film is built around a real episode in Toscanini's life. As a young man, he was accepted into a traveling Italian opera troupe as a cellist and assistant choirmaster. The troupe was heading to Brazil for the winter season. On June 25, 1886, due to an argument between the troupe's permanent conductor, managers and the audience, Toscanini had to take the conductor's stand during a performance of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida in Rio de Janeiro. He conducted the opera from memory. Thus began his conducting career, to which he devoted about 70 years. This film was the first full-length work of 56-year-old Elizabeth Taylor after an 8-year break (during this period she worked only for television). After The Taming of the Shrew, this was her second collaboration with Zeffirelli. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 5, 1988. Cast: C. Thomas Howell as Arturo Toscanini. Elizabeth Taylor as Madame Nadina Bulychov, opera prima (sung by April Maillo). Sophie Ward as Sister Margherita, Toscanini's lover. Pat Heywood as Mother Allegri, abbess and director of a hospital for the poor. Nicolas Chagrin[1] as Maestro Migues, conductor of the Brazilian opera. Philippe Noiret as Pedro II (Emperor of Brazil). John Rhys-Davies as Claudio Rossi, impresario. Franco Nero as Claudio Toscanini, the conductor's father. Read more about Toscanini's biography in two parts here: • Post • Post