William J. Karzas wrote:

>Beecham did record Mozart's "Magic Flute" with the Berlin Phil and a cast
>of prime German singers, in 1937/38.

Many of us have heard delightful Beecham anecdotes, but there's one, in
connection w/ his visit to Germany when he conducted the Magic Flute that
I simply never "got".  Either I didn't get the story right or Beecham's
punch line retort was too subtle for my understanding.  Perhaps someone
on this list can help me out.

When Beecham was in Germany he reluctantly agreed to a personal audience
with Hitler.  In the course of it, Hitler intimated that he would like
to come to England for the impending coronation but was afraid that
there would not be enough police protection for him.  To this, Beecham
is supposed to have replied that Hitler needn't worry, in England, the
police generally let the people do pretty much what they want.

Walter Meyer