For those (and not only) who have a sufficient musical training and begin the study of orchestra conducting, this volume may appear as a survival manual. There are numerous, precise and voluable indications about every aspect of music-making with orchestra, with choir and with soloists. Many pages are devoted to the repertoire, both symphonic and operatic, they guide the reader inside the labirynth of difficulties, becoming increasingly complex due to the large-scale ensembles, the distance between podium and performers, the complex machine of opera, the written and unwritten rules of artistic production, the "convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali" as in the title of an opera by Donizetti.It seems therefore natural that, in his mature age, the autor would address the younger generations so that they may know " the essence of this mystical and complex profession". He uses a plain tone and a brillant humour, which becomes, in these pages, a kind of Socratic irony: reader, if you have talent for orchestra conducting, this book may let it surface.