BOITO, Arrigo [1842-1918]: 4 printed calling - business cards with autograph personal recommendations and short messages to Arturo Toscanini. 1904. 4,7 x 8,2 cm (2x) und 6,4 x 10,2 cm (2 x).

NETWORKING IN THE ITALIAN MUSIC SCENE - BOITO SUPPORTS TOSCANINI Boito's business cards come from the collection of Arturo Toscanini. Boito, who had developed a friendship with Verdi (1813-1901) as a librettist for "Otello" and "Falstaff", was enthusiastic about Toscanini and convinced Verdi, that Toscanini was a conductor capable of interpreting opera scores in the composer's spirit. Even though Verdi and Toscanini never worked together more intensively, Toscanini at least became Puccini's favorite conductor and conducted the premiere of "Madame Butterfly" in 1896 and of "La fanciulla del West" in 1910. In 1898 Toscanini went to La Scala in Milan, where he served as music director until 1903. From 1906 to 1908 he was again music director of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. In the environment of Toskanini's engagement at La Scala in Milan, a more intensive contact with Boito developed, who supported Toskanini and brought him together with important people from the italian music scene. On the card of 2.1.1904 Boito thanks Toskanini: "Le sono vivamente grato delle parole d'augurio inviatemi jeri. Verro di lei vola ogni mio lieto e forte antipicio." On another card, Boito recommends a colleague who can provide Toscanini with information about La Scala: "Ho il piacere di presentarvi l'Egregio Signor Comm. Bigatti nostro collega, il quale vi parlerà delle cose Scale e vi trasmetterà la mia cordiale stretta die mano." Boito also brought his colleague Bambergi together with Toscanini, who was to inform him of the great efforts being made to reopen La Scala: "Il nostro Egregio collega Cav. Bambergi si seca a Torino per concretare i nostri reciproci impegni e per informarla dei grandi parti fatti in questi ultimi giorni per la riapertura della Scala."