Is Sir Thomas Necessary?

Britain was struck last week by a tempest-on-a-podium. High winds raged around goateed, TNT-tempered Conductor Sir Thomas Beecham.

Returning from one of his frequent guest-conducting tours, Sir Thomas had found that Manchester's venerable Halle Concerts Society, weary of his absenteeism, had removed him as its president. Sir Thomas is not a man to be fired lightly. He thundered: "I have not the slightest intention of ... permitting myself to be removed. . . ."

Then he had printed on his calling cards and note paper: President of the Halle Concerts Society. Further, he threatened to sue. The Society retorted that its bylaws made no mention of a president; therefore, Sir Thomas had no legal leg to stand on.

The London Daily Mail cheered on the storm with an editorial titled "Is Sir Thomas Really Necessary?" Sample: "Sir Thomas Beecham is intolerant, but art needs its intolerants. ... If one deplores his habit of affronting town councillors, of insulting fat tenors, of ridiculing virginal soprano choruses . . . can we not forgive these things in return for [his] supreme artistry? . . ."

This week, still on the wing, Sir Thomas was expected to land in the U.S.: he has an uncompleted contract with the Metropolitan Opera and keeps a Manhattan apartment.

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