The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19
Singers Recent Misfortune
Apparently Has Done No
Harm to Him.
by w. J. HEN DERsoN.

\ FR. CARUSOs did not need the
MI nefarious operations OF what
ballplayers call the jinx and
opera sius--- more POLITICALLY the "evil
eye" to focus public attention on his
comings and goings and his vocal
estate. In so far as opera Is con-
cerned Mr.. Caruso is in a position
something like that of the sun in the
planetary system of which this earth
is Tin our opinion, at least) an i'm
portant part. 1t would be going much
too far to say that If he were ex-
tinguished the system would cease to
exist; but he resembles the central
luminary in that all else revolves
around him.
But here the simile must end. For
were Mr.. Caruso to sease to sing the
Metropolitan Opera House and its pas
sionate public would have TO get along
without him. They have done so be-
fore and they undoubtedly would be
able to do so again. 1t is always dis
agreeable to have to utter unpopular
truths, a duty which, unfortunately,
falls very frequently to the lot of the
icNlCWcI VI lnuSlCdi
Happily. readers OF these columns have
no need to be reminded that for seven
teen years this department has not
lacked appreciation of Mr.. Caruso's
unique vocal gifts. his art and his in
fictitious good nature.
The physical misfortunes which re-
Gently befell Mr.. Caruso were unim-
portant The writer of these lines has
wondered that the famous tenor did
not long ago wrench a muscle in the
final staggerings of Cdnio in the first
scene OF "Pagliacci" Mr.. Caruso
never spares himself but gives his
best: and his conception of the mental
distress of the clown leads him to
physical demonstrations which seem
to be the creation of the moment. In
other and perhaps palmer words, the
tenor does not proceed cautiously but
takes all the chances. The twist which
he gave his side a few evenings back
may perhaps serve as a warning, but
it is more likely that it soon will be
forgotten.
CarusO Receivers Quickly.
The bursting OF small blood vessel In
the throat is in itself a matter or no mo-
ment- IT, however II chances to have
been brought about by conditions re-
curing examination, 1t may assume &
serious aspect. Half a dozen different
stories We're told about the trouble OF
the exciting Saturday night week ago
All the high dgnitaries OF the Metropol-
tan management. and they are not few
contradicted one another Mr.. Gatti, as
he is customarily called. was laconic.
He usually is, although on occasion
when properly melted, he will launch
into a considerable discourse in ex-
ceeding rapid French commingled with
Italianisms. In regard to Mr. Caruso s
mishap he merely said that a small
blood vessel near the base of the tongue
had broken.
Mr.. Caruso went home and doctor
cauterized the opening. The tenor was
himself again, and those who heard him
sing on Monday evening felt sure that
the precious vocal cords had not been
involved In any way in the disturbance.
The voice had not been more brilliant,
more vibrant for a long time. Mr..
Caruso's vocal tone Is not the same IN
general character as 1t was when he
came to us In the opening season. OF
the Conried administration. We obtain
a different pleasure now.
But perhaps this theme may be left
for later consideration. There Is appar-
emily nothing at present to raise the fear