New-York tribune., 1921-11-28
Stars Sing at
CarusOCOncert:
Bust Presented
Fellow Artists, Chorus and
Orchestra of Metropoli-
tan Honor Dead Singer
i'll Memorial Program
Widow and BrotherAttend
Marble Likeness Accepted
by o. Kahn To Be Placed
i'll Lobby of Opera House

Leading singers and the entire chorus
and orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera
House took part there yesterday after
Caruso. The memory of the great tenor
was honored not alone in song by his
former fellow artists, but in art as
we'll, when the Caruso bust modelled
the Metropolitan as the gift of Mrs.
Dorothy Caruso and Gloria Caruso,
widow and daughter of the singer. The
presentation was made in behalf of the
donors by Fiorello H. La Guardia,
President of the Board of Aldermen,
and accepted in behalf of the opera
house board Of directors by Otto H.
Kahn, the chairman.
The program consisted of ten num-
bers, and included the "Requiem and
Kyrie" and "Dies Ira," from Verdi's
Requiem Mass" sung by Mines. Marie
Sundelius and Jeanne Gordon and
MN. Giovanni Martineli and Jose Mar
dones, with the entire Metropolitan
chorus. The concert was opened by
the prelude to "Parsifal' by the or
chcstra, Artur Bodanzky conducting,
and was followed by the aria "Lascia
chic pianga,' by Handel, sung by
Giuseppe de Luca; the aria "Panis
Angelicus," Franck, by Frances Aida;
"Agnus Del" Bizet. by Beniamino Gigli;
ave Marta" Bach -Gounod, by Nine.
GalliCurci; Chopin's Funeral March,
the aria "Oh, for the Wings of a Dove, y
Mendelssohn, by Geraldine Farrar, and
the aria and chorus, "Inlammatus, y
from Rossni's "Stabat Mater" by Marie
Sundelius and chorus
Benefit for Musicians Home
The performance was given for the
benefit of the Verdi Home for Aged
Musicians in Milan, Italy.
The bust of Caruso, hidden by the
folds of the facs of the United States
and Italy, stood on floral pedestal in
the center of the stage, which was
backed by garlands Of black crepe,
tacle that constantly held the atten-
ton OF the hundreds of admirers and
friends of the late artist, who filled the
opera house. Mrs. Caruso sat in a
box and Giovanni Caruso, the dead
singers brother also was present.
In presenting the bust to Mr.. Kahn
at the close of the sixth number on the
program Mr.. La Guardia said:
"The happiest moments of MY life
were spent in this opera house; not
near the stage, Mr.. Kahn, but way up
in that corner of the family circle
where so many Of us patiently waited
in line TO gain admission to hear the
greatest tenor of all ages. Hard will
be the task of his successors. When
ever Aida Samson, 'Pagliacci' La
| Boheme' and La Juive' will be
sung your audience will recall the great
genius and the art of Enrico Caruso.
This bust, Mr.. Kahn, is the work of
another great artist, a native of Italy,
but an adopted son of America, who
had that admiration that one artist has
for another. Into this work he has put
not only his genius and his art, but the
soul Of himself"
Otto Kahn Pays Tribute
Mr. Kahn, in reply. said: "I will not
attempt to give expression to our grief
and sorrow, for better than any word s
of mine the voices raised in song Of
those who were his fellow artists carry
to you our emotions and appeal to
yours
''To the opera loving public of New
York Caruso left imperishable mem
ories of joy and beauty. To US, the
Metropolitan Opera, he left the price
less and inspiring legacy of his glory
We shall treasure and cherish it. The
flame on his altar shall never burn low.
On behalf of the Metropolitan Opera
Company, reverenty and gratefully
accept this memorial to Enrico Caruso."
For half hour after the perform
ance admirers came from all parts of
the building to pass reverently in front
of the bust of the tenor, it being nee
essary later to call attendants to clear
the auditorium. The bust will be set
up permanently in the foyer of the
! building,