The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1921-08-02
HAD MADE GREAT FORTUNE

Naples, Aug. 2-(By the Associated
Press .)-Enrico Caruso, world famous
tenor, died here today.
The condition of the singer which
had been considered satisfactory until
recently became grave yesterday, per-
itonltis developing and another Oper-
alton being considered necessary.
From the beginning of his relapse,
however, there was serious concern
over the outcome. During the night
the condition of the patient grew
worse steadily and the career OF the
great artist came to an end with his
death early this morning.
Series Oi Mlshaps
New York, Aug. 2.-The last word
received here from Naples was that
Enrico Caruso was improving nicely.
When the tenor saAed llom New
York for Italy on May 2S he appeared
to still be very ill and weak although
his physicians insisted he was on the
road to rapid recovery.
CarusO's illness first began during
last Christmas week when he suffered
an attack of pleurisy. His condition
growing worse, the singer few days
later underwent an operation to relieve
him of an accumulation of puss in
the plura cavity. It was deemed ad
visable to operate again for a second
ary abScess.
After these operations Caruso con-
tinued in serious condition for more
than week and was lowering be-
tween life and DEATH Early in Febru-
ary there was another sudden turn for
the worse.
Breaks Down Singing
During the latter part of February
the condition of the famous singer i'm
proved slowly but steadily although it
was necessary for him to undergo a
third operation. A few weeks later
he was removed to Atlantic City
where he rested preparatory to his re-
turn to Italy.
The breakdown in the tenor's health
last winter followed a series of mis-
haps to Caruso which eliminated on
Dec. IL in Brooklyn when he burst a
blood vessel while singing in "Elisir d
Amore" at the Academy Of Music.
His performance or that occasion
was gallant; she struggled through the
whole first act although time and
again blood choked his voice and every
now and then he was forced to change
a Redeemed handkerchief for another,
deftly slipped to him by some member
Of the chorus. .s
The Golden Voice.
Enrico Caruso, for more than rs
years a celebrity in the world of song,
the tenor with "the golden voice.
idolized by millions in America and
abroad, had an artistic career as we'll
known as that OF any famous states
man or military leader. He was born
in Naples, Italy, February rs. 1873, the
son of Marcellius Caruso mechanic,
who detested music but was persuaded
to permit his son, when II years old,
to sing in the churches of his native
city. An unpromising pupil. for three
years he studied under Guglielmo Ver-
gine, pledging his teacher that when
ready for a professional career he
should pay him one-Quarter OF his
earnings for the following five years.
Debut In 1894.
He made his debut in "L'Amico
francesca" at the Nuovo theater, Ma
pies, in 1894, later toured Italy and
Sicily and was engaged for four sea-
sons at La Scala, Milan. Subsequent
ly he sang in st. Petersburg. Moscow,
Warsaw, Rome, Lisbon, Paris, Lon
don and leading cities OF Germany
When he came to the Metropolitan
Opera House in New York on Novem~
ber %, 1903, the critics did not 60
into ecstacies over him. One of them
wrote on the opening night: "Signor
Caruso (as the Duke in 'Rigolettol
has many of the tiresome Italian vo-
cal affectations and when he neglerts
to cover his tones, as he always does
when he becomes strenuous, his voice
becomes pallid."
100 Francs First Fee.
It is interesting to observe that
when Caruso made his Naples debut
he sang the title role four times for
which he received 100 francs, a pair
of stage shoes, a suit Of feshings and
neckerchief. Some years later
Mauprice Grau, the impresario. nego-
tlated with him to sing In Americ,,
for $500 month but thought the sal
ary excessive and the deal fell
through. Grau was quick to perceive
the opportunity he had lost and final
ly engaged Foruso for 80 perform
ances at $1,000 night. But Mr.. Grau
became ill and Caruso. when singing
in Lisbon, received word that again
he must abandon his hope OF singing
in America. Heinrich COnried, who
followed Mr.. Grau at the Metropolt-
tan, however, cabled Caruso an offer
to cross the Atlantic and his ambition
at last was realized.
Although no official statement OF
his earnings was ever made public, II
is known that CarusO, at the height
of his Metropolitan career, was re
ceiving an average of $4,000 for each
performance. On special occasions
such as his 1920 season in Havana
he was paid $4,000 night.
List Of Operas.
The list of Italian and French
operas in which the noted tenor's
name figures since he first sang In
New York revealed an amazing versa
tility. In 16 years he sang no lesi
than 459 times, in one season, 19O7-O'
rnolinu S1 annearanceS great tee