The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word TOSCANINI
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
T
O
S
C
A
N
I
N
I
More clues leading to the result TOSCANINI
- I sanction changing conductor
- Conductor returning homeafter opera
- Conductor’s inaction’s outrageous
- Maestro to check out in India
- Musician in action's extraordinary
- Important figure in the Met once in action, wandering round capital of Spain
- 10 Arturo at opera, mounting popular new one
- Maestro presenting opera at home in Ulster
- Conductor of opera 9’s half-seen twice
- Conductor: ‘Opera by Paganini? Not half!’
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Important figure in the Me/t/ once" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case important figure in the me/t/ once = toscanini.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.