LA MATTINA ALL’OPERA, BUONGIORNO CON…. · Paolo Pellegrini

La Mattina all'Opera Buongiorno con ... Victor De Sabata

·46 min·4 clips

Victor de Sabata conducted a triumphant concert at age eleven and studied timpani under Arturo Toscanini at the conservatory.

The episode opens by introducing Victor de Sabata, born in Trieste in 1892, who moved to Milan and entered the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory at age eight. He showed early talent, composing a suite in 1909 and conducting a triumphant concert at age eleven. De Sabata studied timpani under Arturo Toscanini at the conservatory. His first major recognition came in 1917 with his opera Il Maccino performed at La Scala. In 1918, he became a stable conductor at the Monte Carlo Opera, building his repertoire with works by Ponchielli, Montemezzi, and Puccini. He was called to direct the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome in 1921, alternating between Rome and Monte Carlo. After settling in Milan in 1926, he focused on symphonic work and toured the United States, conducting in New York and Cincinnati. He debuted at La Scala in 1930 with La Fanciulla dell'Ovest, followed by successes like Tristan und Isolde in 1931. De Sabata premiered his symphonic poem Le mille e una notte in 1931 and directed numerous memorable performances at La Scala throughout the 1930s, including works by Verdi, Strauss, and Puccini. He performed at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and was invited to major European institutions, conducting in Vienna, Prague, Berlin, and Munich. In 1939, he conducted at the Bayreuth Festival, a rare honor for a non-German conductor after Toscanini. During World War II, he continued conducting in Italy until La Scala was bombed in 1943. Post-war, he worked in London and Rome, making recordings with the Accademia di Santa Cecilia. He concluded his theatrical career at La Scala in 1953 during a recording of Tosca, after which health issues forced him to retire. He was named artistic superintendent of La Scala in 1954 but resigned in 1956, serving as an honorary consultant. His final conducting was at Toscanini's funeral in 1957, and he died in Santa Margherita Ligure later that year. The episode then analyzes his 1953 Tosca recording with Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, and Giuseppe Di Stefano. It describes de Sabata's direction as dramatic and rhythm-focused, particularly in highlighting Scarpia's character. The analysis contrasts the cold, black-and-white tone of the second act with the colorful, dense orchestration of the third act, comparing it to Renaissance art. It notes the balance between dramatic urgency and lyrical moments, such as Di Stefano's singing. The episode ends by recommending listeners hear specific sections of Tosca to appreciate de Sabata's interpretative style.

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