Arturo Toscanini was born in Parma Italy on March 25, 1867 and died on January 16, 1957. He was famous for his intensity and his dedication to perfection. In 1886 he toured South America as the assistant Chorus Master with an opera company led by maestro Carlo Superti. On June 30, 1886 maestro Superti was soundly booed by the audience as the performance began. He stepped down and Aristide Venturi stepped up to continue, but he also was booed off of the stage. In despiration some of the singers suggested that 19 year old assistant Chorus Master Arturo Toscanini step in. Toscanini took up the baton, discarded the score, and for the next two and a half hours conducted a masterful performance of the opera completely from memory. The previously hostile audience sat in awe of his powerful direction. Soon his cello career was put aside and his masterful conducting abilities led him to the Metropolitan Opera of New York from 1908-1915, and he famously led the New York Philharmonic Orchestra from 1926-1936, and later the NBC network symphony.