Chapter 10Milan, 1925
Toscanini was back on the telephone with Alfano. It was the kind of conversation he hated to have, conveying someone else’s criticism. But it had to be done. Ricordi was unhappy with Alfano’s completion of Turandot, and without Ricordi ensuring the publication of the score—not only for other opera houses to use but for music students and other aficionados—well, then, there might as well be no Turandot. But Toscanini would not even consider that. All he could hear was Puccini’s voice in his head:
Arturo, do you remember? You promised. Save her. Save my imperious Chinese princess.
Yes, maestro, never fear. I will save her—even if I have to destroy Alfano to do it.
But Toscanini didn’t think it would come to that. He would use the gentle art of persuasion before soun
