In these few days before the 50th anniversary of the 1957 death of Maestro Arturo Toscanini, a new secret has been revealed; a secret that had been kept for ages, a secret that can shed light on the very special relationship that Toscanini shared with Teatro alla Scala.
In the weekly magazine Chi (Who) that hit the newstands on Wednesday, January 10, something quite spectacular was divulged to the public by the Maestro's granddaughter, Emanuela di Castelbarco (image on left). Signora Castelbarco was last mentioned here as one of the founders of the new "Viva Toscanini" initiative that has been established in remembrance of the Maestro.
Corriere recapped it all in an article called, "Scala, il misterioso benefattore era Toscanini," with the translation being, "La Scala: The mysterious benefactor was Toscanini."
Throughout the past 100 years in the history of Teatro alla Scala donors and benefactors, the acronymn "NN" had appeared numerous times, alluding to an anonymous backer that financed many productions, events, and reconstructions. The "NN" is short for "Non Nominato", or "Unnamed". Emanuela di Castelbarco explains that the previous unnamed supporter was actually her grandfather, Maestro Arturo Toscanini. She goes on to explain:
"Ci sono delle targhe alla Scala che ricordano cifre molto rilevanti offerte da 'NN'. Quel 'NN' era lui, mio nonno Arturo Toscanini."
Translation: "There are plaques at La Scala that commemorate the biggest donors of the theater, and among the names, there is one entry displayed as 'NN'. That 'NN' was him, my grandfather Arturo Toscanini."
She goes on to recall that after WWI, there was not enough money for Teatro alla Scala to go back to normal operations. Therefore, her grandfather and a few other friends absorbed the costs for programming, albeit anonymously. Toscanini also donated a hefty amount after the destruction the theater endured during WWII.
A few more articles conduct interviews with musicologists and others close to Toscanini about their lasting impressions of the maestro, and the legacy that he left in the wake of his death.
Granddaughter Emanuela di Castelbarco ends one article with a mention of both his affection and his wit. She explains: "I lived for a time in the United States after the war, and although music was his great love, Toscanini was a grandfather that was always close, and very affectionate. Even if he yelled at me always to please not sing, because apparently, I am completely out of tune ."