Maestro

Maestro is playing at the Duke Theatre located at 229 West 42nd Street. It runs two hours fifteen minutes with one intermission. The play closes February 9, 2019.

Arturo Toscanini was born in Italy on March 25, 1867 and died in the Riverdale section of the Bronx on November 16, 1957 at 89. He was a conductor of the NBC Symphony Orchestra from 1937-1954.

Act One is in New York 1938, Act Two is the end of 1938. Both open with him conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra.

Arturo gets very emotional when he is conducting. He gets upset when someone is not playing the way he would like them to.

We learn about his life and what led him to come to the United States. He refused to go to Germany to perform for Hitler. Arturo hated Fascism and spoke out about it. His passport was taken away, he did get it back. He admits he was unfaithful to his wife.

After he talks in a scene chamber music is played to the left. Archives film of the time is shown on the right. It tells what is happening in Europe at a given time. Sometimes before something come up a sentence appears to the left telling what has happening which explains the footage.

It was an interesting play, when element was separate Arturo, chamber music and film. But together it was overpowering. It didn’t blend in. The second act the most powerful and enjoyable.

John Nobel does a remarkable performance as Arturo Toscanini. Maximilian Morel played trumpet for Rhapsody in Blue. All I can say is WOW!

Review by Rozanna Radakovich.

Photos by Annazor.

To read a candid interview with John Nobel, scroll down to the left for photos. Click on photos for this and other shows.