Word: maestro
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After a concert in Frankfurt, Maestro Leopold Stokowski, guest conductor of the symphony orchestra that ploys under the aegis of the Hessian radio station in West Germany, put on no airs as he graciously received the applause of his listeners. Main reason for his refraining from his customary theatricality: white-maned Conductor Stokowski, 73, also renowned as the estranged husband of Actress-Painter-Poetess Millionheiress Gloria Vanderbilt Stokowska, 31, had banned all pictures of the concert, was unaware that a camera had fixed its evil eye upon...
...even the appearance of Marilyn Monroe made such a hit in Japan. The new, triumphant visitor: New York City's Symphony of the Air, Arturo Toscanini's former orchestra, which has been looking for a job ever since the maestro's retirement. Occupation for the next six weeks: U.S. cultural ambassador abroad...
...Pardoll says: "Ready, everyone." The stooped maestro in the wings slides back a small panel and looks out at Conductor Adler. Adler starts the prelude. Four minutes later the maestro murmurs, "Ready!", then gestures abruptly. The stagehand bends his back to the curtain rope, and the heavy, golden brocade parts, rises majestically...
...basement, directly below Faust's vocal soul-struggles, Mephistopheles (Basso Nicola Moscona) paces nervously, dressed in evening clothes, redlined Inverness cape, with top hat and cane. Three grips stand ready at the trapdoor platform. Another maestro, with a score on his lap, sits near by. Mephistopheles clears his throat, begins la-la-la softly. The maestro, straining to hear the orchestra, says, "Ready!" and Mephisto steps onto the platform...
...Faust sings, "A moi, Satan, à moi!" and throws his book into the fireplace. An electrician switches on a fan, which sends flame-colored paper streamers upward into sight of the audience. The basement maestro makes an abrupt pronouncement: "Up with him!" The stagehands lift the platform and Mephisto into the air. The audience first sees him sitting on the arm of the chair that screens the trapdoor, nonchalantly swinging his foot and cane. Meanwhile, behind the rear study wall. Marguerite (Soprano Nadine Conner) is climbing a narrow set of stairs to a platform, aided by a stagehand...