Blue Star Brief: April 2017

The Foundations of our Freedoms

Sally Painter writes that global institutions uphold our international order

In a new op-ed, Sally Painter describes the fundamental role that global institutions have played in fostering enduring peace, security, and prosperity across nations.

Sally's passionate defense of their importance comes at at time when voices on both sides of the Atlantic have cast doubt on the fate of international and multilateral institutions such as the European Union and NATO with calls for stronger national focus, sovereignty, and local control.

In her article, Sally argues that while no institution is beyond the need for improvement, we are each indebted to these institutions for protecting the core values on which our societies are based—
democracy, the rule of law, and human dignity.

Click here to read Sally's article.

Blue Star Strategies helped organize a special celebration at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC in honor of the 150th anniversary of the birth of world renowned Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini. The event featured a special performance by the visiting Cameristi della Scala orchestra from Milan, Italy and was hosted by Pietro Salini, Chairman of Lane Construction Corporation and CEO of Salini Impregilo.

Click above or here to watch and listen to this moving concert.

Background

Arturo Toscanini (1867-1957) is widely recognized as one of the most influential and beloved conductors of the 20th century. An acclaimed interpreter of Verdi, Puccini, and Wagner, he inspired millions around the world, introducing many to the beauty and wonder of classical music for the first time. In addition to conducting in his native Italy at the famous Teatro alla Scala opera house, he served as conductor in the United States at the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic. It is said that 9 million Americans listened to his weekly radio orchestral broadcasts. He worked until the age of 87 and then lived at his home in Riverdale, New York.

As much as he is remembered for his music, Toscanini transcended his art form with his deep humanity and moral courage, serving as an inspiration for artists of conscience for years to come. He was a vehement anti-Fascist who publicly opposed Hitler and Mussolini and traveled widely for performances to show solidarity with the downtrodden and refugees.

Toscanini is celebrated in two new books, Toscanini: Musician of Conscience, by music historian Harvey Sachs and Toscanini, The Maestro: A Life in Pictures, by Marco Capra.