Toscanini's knowledge and dedication led to an unexpected first conducting experience in 1886. He was in Rio de Janeiro as principal cellist with an Italian touring company. The singers refused to perform under an incompetent conductor, and the 19-year-old Toscanini was called to conduct. He gave a brilliant performance of Verdi's Aida entirely from memory.
As a result, Toscanini was engaged to conduct Catalini's new opera, Edmea, and his conducting career was soon well established. In 1892,...