Conducted by Clarence Raybould
William Walton 's Overture ' Scapino ' is dedicated to Frederick Stock and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and was first heard in America. It received its first performance in England at a broadcast concert in November, 1941. The full title of the work is: ' Scapino, a Comedy Overture, after an etching from Jacques Callot 's " Balli di Sfessania," 1622,' Scapino is a figure in Italian Comedy who has been described as ' a liar, and a chatterbox, who forgets everything except to hold out his hand for tips.' His name, derived from scappare (to escape) suggests his evasiveness and his skill at extricating himelf from difficult situations. He is, in short, entirely irresponsible, amorous in a flighty way. with an insatiable desire for mischief.