One of the world's great
conductors, born at
Parma,
Italy in
1867. He studied
cello at Parma and
Milan, and while playing in
Rio de Janeiro was suddenly called upon to replace the conductor, whereupon Toscanini produced a triumphant
performance of
Aida.
He later conducted at La Scala, Milan, the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, the New York Philharmonic and the Bayreuth and Salzburg festivals. He also brought into being the National Broadcasting Orchestra of America. Toscanini died in New York in 1957.