the performance. Finally, Toscanini refused to conduct "Giovinezza" at a May 1931 concert in Bologna, was subsequently roughed up by a group of blackshirts, and thereafter left Italy until after World War II. Relationship to Marcia Reale The Royal March had often preceded "Giovinezza" on official occasions, as required by official regulations following an abortive attempt to conflate the two songs. Many considered the Royal March "long winded and gaudy", and these faults were thrown into sharp relief by back-to-back ceremonial presentations. "Giovinezza" was used as a sign-off by Italian radio under Mussolini; after the ousting of Mussolini in 1943, the Italian radio signed off for the first time in 21 years playing only the Royal March, "Marcia Reale". See also Il Canto degli Italiani - the current Italian national anthem Faccetta Nera Horst-Wessel-Lied Cara al Sol References External links Giovinezza 78rpm record on the Internet Archive Lyrics Giovinezza in Italian and English Giovinezza in Italian and German Giovinezza in Italian and Spanish Political party songs Italian anthems 1909 songs Historical national anthems Italian fascist songs Fascist symbols