Word: scala
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...abed in a clutter of flowers, telegrams and Sunday papers. A great deal had happened to her in three years. She had studied diligently in Italy, learned to speak pure Italian instead of the dialect on which she had been raised. She had sung at the Scala and in Genoa. With lips vermilion-red and finger nails to match, she returned to the U. S. this autumn to find herself good copy because she was a New Jersey laborer's daughter and at 19 had a five-year contract with the Chicago Civic Opera Company. Her father had died...
Kathryn O'Gorman Hammer is still the zealous, domineering director of Philadelphia's Grand Opera Company (the world's only woman opera-director since Anita Colombo was eased out of her position at La Scala) but in five years her position has radically changed. No longer does she haggle over prices or stitch costumes. She wears orchids, travels abroad to engage talent. Prosperity came in 1929 when Mrs. Mary Louise Curtis Bok, daughter of Publisher Cyrus Herman Kotzschmar Curtis, decided to support the company, to use it partly as an outlet for opera talent in the Curtis...
...replace Anita Colombo, able directrix of La Scala Opera in Milan who lost her job last month, partly because of her friendship with anti-Fascist Arturo Toscanini (TIME, Sept. 28), a rich Venetian and pioneer Fascist was appointed: Erardo Trentinaglia. Esteemed in Italy as a composer and conductor, Signor Trentinaglia planned first to shorten La Scala's season, cut down on novelties...
Previously she had studied violin in Milan, secured a small job at La Scala. In 1915 she became associated with Maestro Arturo Toscanini. helped him organize an opera season in Milan. Five years later she became his secretary. Tactful, efficient, she was useful in coping with his famed tantrums, in keeping people out of his way when necessary. But many were not yet ready to take her seriously. It is told how the conductor Antonio Guarnieri once met her on his way to the Maestro's office. Said she: "I am Signorina Colombo. What can I do for you?" Said...
...friction between Toscanini and il Fascismo was too much to be borne. He resigned as director of La Scala. But the blonde Valkyrie carried on, under Director Angelo Scandiani. When he became ill, she substituted ably. Then in June 1930, Director Scandiani died. The Government had suspended La Scala's "Autonomous Corporation," appointed wealthy Senatore Borletti to be Royal Commissioner (dictator) of the opera. Under the supervision of Benito Mussolini, he was empowered to select a new director. He picked Signorina Colombo. The Press raged. People held mass-meetings. A woman? It was unthinkable. But someone sagely pointed out that...