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.
Toscanini's swift exit from the Met in 1915 led to Papi becoming the principal conductor, with his debut occurring on November 16, 1916, featuring Giacomo Puccini's Manon Lescaut. He left the Met in 1927 to become the first music director of the Chicago Civic Opera, but returned to his previous role in 1935.