When Toscanini left the Met rather suddenly in 1915, Papi became the house's principal conductor, making his debut in that position on November 16, 1916, with Giacomo Puccini's Manon Lescaut. He left the Met in 1927 to become the first conductor of the Chicago Civic Opera, but returned to his old post in 1935.
When Toscanini departed from the Met abruptly in 1915, Papi assumed the role of principal conductor, making his debut in that capacity on November 16, 1916, with Giacomo Puccini's Manon Lescaut. He left the Met in 1927 to become the inaugural conductor of the Chicago Civic Opera, but returned to his old position in 1935.