Bibliographical note: In addition to the normal reference sources, these three books added valuable information:

Harvey Sachs: Toscanini/Musician of Conscience, Liveright Pub. Co., 2017

Julian Budden: Puccini/His Life and Works, Oxford Univ. Press, 2002

Lanfranco Rasponi: The Last Prima Donnas, Alfred A. Knopf, 1982

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NEXT TIME: Just after the turn of the year, we have the new production of Rigoletto and the repertory return of Le Nozze di Figaro. Whether these together make for a single post or not, and what responses they may arouse, is unpredictable, as is the state of the performing world from one day to the next. So I’ll set a date of Jan. 27, and we’ll see what happens. A happy and healthy New Year to all!

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