Il Giovane Toscanini (Young Toscanini)

Tone is set from the opening scene at La Scala (1883) where the 18-year old Arturo Toscanini auditions to a disinterested selection committee. He bangs his cello case shut and tells them off, losing the job hut earning the respect of impresario Claudio Rossi. He leaps at a tour with Rossi's orchestra to South America. Some of pic's finest moments occur aboard ship. Arturo takes the initiative to severely rehearse the company's singers, winning the attention of sister Margherita. This blond from a rich Milanese family wants to dedicate her life to missionary work, at the side of Mother Allegri. Though attracted to the passionate young musician with Socialist ideale, Margherita keeps her doe-like eyes fixed on her hapless patients, when their ills don't turn her delicate stomach. (Varietv. 28.9.88)