Finmeccanica to Present Maestro Lorin Maazel with Toscanini's Conductor Baton

NEW YORK, NY. (Finmeccanica) - Finmeccanica is honored to commemorate the legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini by presenting, in the presence of Toscanini's grandchildren, one of his batons to celebrated conductor Lorin Maazel. The baton will be presented to Maestro Maazel in a ceremony at The Metropolitan Opera's Club Room just prior to the evening's commemorative concert at Avery Fischer Hall that sees Maestro Maazel, Music Director of both the New York Philharmonic and the Symphonica Toscanini, conduct both orchestras accompanied by renowned bass – René Pape.

"In the Footsteps of Toscanini - Symphony of the Air" tour, sponsored by Finmeccanica, marks the 50th anniversary of Italian maestro Arturo Toscanini's death and will recreate his historical tours of 1920 with the Orchestra Arturo Toscanini, and of 1950 with the NBC Symphony Orchestra by criss-crossing the United States before ending in California.

Finmeccanica is both proud and privileged to present this exclusive memento of a truly unique event, embodying as it does the Maestro's own passion for performance and his relentless pursuit of perfection - values that remain completely in tune with Finmeccanica's.

It is fitting that 'Symphony of the Air' be conducted by Lorin Maazel, who fondly recalls his meeting with the legendary Toscanini, who after seeing him conduct when he was only 11 years old, placed a hand on his shoulder and said, 'God bless you.' Maestro Maazel is now entrusted with leading the Symphonica Toscanini in the footsteps of his mentor. Accordingly, the tour will go on to span the world, stopping at places that hold special resonance in the story of Maestro Toscanini, and seeking to recreate and evoke these important moments anew.