Giulio Gatti-Casazza
| Giulio Gatti-Casazza | |
|---|---|
 |
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| General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera | |
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In office 1908–1935 |
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| Preceded by | Heinrich Conried |
| Succeeded by | Herbert Witherspoon |
| General Manager of La Scala | |
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In office 1898–1908 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
February 3, 1869 Udine, Italy |
| Died | September 2, 1940 (aged 71) |
| Spouse(s) |
Frances Alda (m. 1910–28) Rosina Galli |
Giulio Gatti-Casazza (3 February 1869 – 2 September 1940) was an Italian opera manager. He was general manager of La Scala in Milan, Italy from 1898 to 1908 and later the Metropolitan Opera in New York City from 1908 to 1935.
Gatti-Casazza was born on 3 February 1869 in Udine, in northeastern Italy. In 1893 he succeeded his father as manager of the municipal theatre in Ferrara. He was manager of La Scala from 1898 to 1908, before his move to New York City. He was head of the Metropolitan Opera from 1908 to 1935. Under his leadership the Metropolitan enjoyed a prolonged era of artistic innovation and musical excellence. He brought with him conductor Arturo Toscanini, who led the company in performances of Verdi, Wagner and others that set standards for the company which have endured to the present day. The Viennese composer Gustav Mahler also was a Met conductor during Gatti-Casazza's first two seasons and in later years conductors Tullio Serafin and Artur Bodanzky led the company in the Italian and German repertories respectively.
Thanks to Gatti-Casazza's artistic and organizational skill the Metropolitan attracted the best singers and conductors, and, on 10 December 1910, hosted its first World premiere, La Fanciulla del West by Giacomo Puccini. Many noted singers of the era appeared at the Met under Gatti-Casazza's leadership, including Rosa Ponselle, Emmy Destinn, Frances Alda, Amelita Galli-Curci, Maria Jeritza, Lily Pons; Enrico Caruso, Jacques Urlus, Giovanni Martinelli, Beniamino Gigli, Feodor Chaliapin, Titta Ruffo, Giacomo Lauri-Volpi, and Lauritz Melchior.
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