A major event of Tabuteau’s third season with the Met was the December 10, 1910, world premiere of Puccini’s new opera, La Fanciulla del West. Toscanini conducted, with Caruso and Destinn creating the leading roles. John de Lancie remembered Tabuteau once telling him about the rehearsals: “The masses did not have money to go to the opera in New York, so the public would attend dress rehearsals. There were many Italian immigrants. As rehearsals with Toscanini were conducted in Italian, of course they could understand him. Puccini was in the audience. He stood up and spoke to Toscanini about something. Toscanini turned around and said, “I know your music better than you do. Just sit down!”
Wow. That’s all I can say. WOW!
At the request of a reader, I am mentioning to people that new Tabuteau book is coming out! Written by Laila Storch, Professor Emerita of the University of Washington, this book should be a fantastic resource to oboists and musicians alike. I’ve been told, it’s currently in the last stages of editing, and will be another several months before it is finalized, but it is certainly something to look forward to.
Meanwhile, I must say it is being published by Indiana University Press, who also published (and discontinued!) the Ledet’s Oboe Reeds Styles. That said, if they didn’t realize how important that book is to oboists and discontinued it, I don’t have much hope for them to keep the Tabuteau book on the market for long. So buy many! You’ll probably want one for yourself, and to give to your students in the future. Or maybe in 20 years you’ll be able to sell them for 500% resale!
