Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1921-11-11
CARUSO, THE TENOR

certain degree at least been pre-
I'D 70 the world by means of the
~There were strong men before Aga
mon " but although Tamagno, Jean
poszke and Campanini were great,
.oems to be the consensus of COM
tent critics hat Caruso was head
p0 sboulders above them all.
Ne ranks, in the history Of artistic
.niovement, with Michel Angelo and
osatesneare, though his work was of
Saurse not lasting. He was a master.
Ne was a real king of men, that is,
owad his fame to his own ability.
10 was born poor and rose by his
EFFORTS to the summit Of fame and
wealth.
teresting.
He never took out American natu-
rolization papers but lived and died an
Italian citizen.
uis wife and his daughter Gloria
o,o also registered Is citizens of Italy.
II is estimated by those who knew
rim we'll that during the twenty years
rreceding his death he received for
bis work some 100000 900.
I1is estate when he died was about a
u;l;on or a million and a half dollars.
Measured in Italian money, however,
..ts ;s one of the largest fortunes in
Italy. z
O9O and in 1920, $165 900.
Ne was very liberal and rarely re-
sused an appeal of a fellow country
man for aid. $40
He was fond of giving away $500
bills.
resides the little daughter of his
last wife, Caruso left two ons Rod
olfo and Enrico, Jr.
He began singing in Italy at 20 cents
a day: he ended by singing in New
York at $4,000 a night.
ua worked hard and practiced hours
daily.
He with his heart and put a
great deal of feeling into his perform
auce. One day, in New York, a friend
noticed a tear on his face as he left
the stage after singing "Vest1 Ia
giubba" in "Pagliacci," and asked what
was wrong.
DCaruso is a damn fool" was the
reply; "he feels too much when he
sings"
But that same feeling doubtless
helped make his success.
He was the son of a Naples factory
foreman.
His first work was as an engineers
draughtsman. And he always remain
ed a clever caricaturist.
He was1a born singer, and at hrst
sahg around in churches and cafes III
Naples.
His chance came while he was doing
his army service. His major heard
him singing in the drill hall for his
own amusement, and introduced him
to a musical friend who gave him les
sons. Arrangements were made 1or
his brother to take his place IN the
army, and Caruso devoted himself en-
tiray to singing.
Years after he had become famous
and had sung in all the great clues
of the world, Caruso returned tc
Naples for a holiday, and used TO &C
for lunch to a little restaurant. Be-
tween the courses and while pufhng
at his cigarette, the great tenor Woulo
burst into song. One day Ne saw the
cook in tears.
THAT is the praise l prize" SAID
Caruso to a friend. "If | can draw
tears from the eyes of the man VINO
cooks my macaroni, then am sure
am in voice. Women will weep be-
cause it is Caruso who sings, but the
cook will only do so if his heart Is
really touched"
Once when Caruso went to cash a
check in New York, the ban clerR
had some doubt about his Identity
Caruso at once began singing, anu
when he finished the whole t
cheered.
Caruso was Of a very sunny and
likeable nature and was a great Ia
yorite among his fellow artists. he
was generous, impulsive and human
He was a brave spirit till. the emo
His last message was a postcard 70
the treasurer of the Metropolitan
Opera:
"%Salutations to all the boys. Feel
ing fine. Expect to be over the top
SOON"
But soon the golden throat was for
ever silent.-The Spectator in the
New York American.