Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-02

ciulla del West" Lucia di Lammer
tore. . Don Giovanni, . "Gerrania." :"
Iris, "Lucrezia Borgia.' ''rosca,
La Forza del Destino." French
Les Pecheurs de pcrles." ''Armide, "
Faust" Julien. lie Prophete,
Carmen, Samson ct Della" MIA
non" and LA Juive."
Popular in Philadelphia
Caruso enjoyed unbounded popularity
with Philadelphia audiences. His fire.
qupnt appearances, both at the Metro
politan Opera House and the Academy
Of Music were the signal for such an
outpouring Of admirers of his wonder
ful voice that seats were at a premium
and standing room eagerly occupied by
those unable TO make reservations.
Last season. when grand opera
came back as fixed institution
at the Academy, Caruso in speech
expressed his delight at returning 10
familiar stage. declaring the acoustic
make singing a peculiar pleasure.
The famous singer was the guest OF
honor at a silver jubilee celebration
on the twenty fifth anniversary of his
operate debut, in November 1919, at
the Metropolitan, New York. at which
prominent New Yorkers. including the
mayor and other officials. spoke of his
great artistic achievements. He re.
ceived an illuminated parchment from
thirty FIVE families holding boxes in the
81 .O00, 900 Golden Horseshoe. flag
medals and numerous gifts from his
fellow artists.
His Marriage and Human Side"
The human side" Of the artist was
manifest in his intercourse. not alone
with his professional comrades. but in
his social relations The public re.
fiected this trait in the amount Of in.
terest il took in 1913 in the marriage
of Caruso and Miss Benjamin. which
had all the flavor Of romance to which
piQuanCy was given by the fact that
the brides parents were absent from
the ceremony. and later reports that
positive discord existed between her
family and the bridegroom. This cool.
ness, il it really existed. moderated
with the passage Of time and the birth
of daughter, and the young wife's
brother at all times showed his most
cordial friendship.
woman named Giachette. from whom
he separated years ago. Two sons were
born OF this marriage. the elder OF
whom was in the Italian Bersaglieri
during the world war, and the younger
boy was in a military school in Italy
awaiting the call TO the front when
hostilitipS ceased.
Caruso was lavish contributor to
the cause of the Allies His income
tax in the last few years was Of i'm
posing proportions.
Caruso's Own Life Story
In an autobiography printed in the
PCBLIC LEDGER last summer and fall
and edited by a close personal associate.
CaruSO mentioned hundreds of incidents
with modcsty and simplicity that
threw light on his charcter not ia
miliar to the thousands who knew the
singer only professionally.
AS is we'll known one of the artist
fadS was cartOoning, and n number of
clever sketches illustrated the story Of
his life. 1t was an almost nvarisble
custom on Caruso's visits to this city
for him to draw likenesses and sketches.
humorous and otherwise. which he de-
lighted TO send 10 his friends
The Carusos resided in New York
city during the opera season. They
had a summer home at East Hampton,
l.. l.. and another residence, Vile allie
Panche, at Florence Italy.
The Great Jewel Robbery
A great sensation was caused early
last summer when CnrusO was in Cuba.
by robbery at the Long Island home
when S400 600 in jewels were stolen.
Although detectives employee every
trick known to the profession in an
effort TO capture the thieves. no trace
of the missing gems was ever disCOv
cred. a. far as made known.
Shortly after this robbery came start.
ling news from Havana. Cuba. that
bomb had been exploded in the Ma
tional Theatre, where Caruso was sing
ing in Aida The tenor cabled his
wife that he was safe. having been in
his dressing room at the time Of the
explosion. and sent love. embraces and
kisses For n time following this
event the Caruso home in Long Island
was like an armed camp carefully
guarded against possible surprises.
Caruso. after his strenuous opera
seasons. sometimes had trouble with his
throat which he usually OverCamc with
little rest and care and at certain
intervals rumors that "CarusO will
never sing again were frequently
printed.
H. had sung every >fason in This
country sine" 1903. when he made his
first appearance here. On one occasion
he described himself as seven twelfthS
an American.