Pueblo chieftain. (Pueblo, Colo.) 1889-current, 1921-08-03
CARUSO'S DEATH MAKES
VACANCY IN OPERA
tcou,inued from Page One,

as small boy. the future opera star
loved TO spend his time playing about
near them. He learned to swim. for
one thing. and his frst ambition in
life was a not very uncommon one-he
wanted to be a sailor.
His father, however. had other ideas.
Enrico. he decided, should follow his
own calling and become a mechanic.
But Enrico objected-objected So
strongly that there was really nothing
leave him alone" for a time. This
proved a fortunate decision for the
boy. for IT led to the first discovery"
OF his voice. The headmaster OF the
school happened to lie a musician OF
considerable ability and insight, and
one dayS hearing his youthful charge
singing he was struck with. the quail
ity and possibilities of the boys voice.
He thereupon made engagements for
his protece to sing at fashionable
weddings and concerts, he himself tax
ing the fees. This state OF affairs went
on for about two years. and then.
aged twelve. Caruso decided that he
had had enough OF school work. and
made himself so unpleasant and un-
hearahle that he was sent away IN
disgrace.
Being virtually disowned BY his
| father, Caruso became n wandersr. He
4 picked up precarious living by sing
| ing at church festivals and private
! entertainments. gradually becoming
known as the most capable boy so
prano in Maple. Soon, indeed, with
his voice transformed into marvel
Gus alto. he found himself in great de-
mand
The beginnings Of his professional
career were interrupted for time by
service in the army II Was while
serving as a private soldier that he
determined to become an opera singer.
| on leaving the army he at once pro
ceeded to study. and almost immed-
lately attained success in his own
country. In 1895, at the age Of y, he
made his operate debut at Tcatro
Nuevo, Naples, in an opera by Sisnor
| Morelli. entitled AMIGO francesca.
Neither the opera nor the artists who
Interpreted II achieved any striking
success. but n short time later. IN
time was warmly received by both
critics and public From that day his
success as singer was assured.
He war then engaged to sing in
Montena Carlo. which engagement
was followed by a tour Of the Cont
to South America. In 1902 he reached
the goal of the operntc singer and
appeared at Covont' Garden. London
where he was much admired. The next
year he came to America, and was 70.
ceived with great acclaim on his debut
n, the Metropolitan opera house In
New York. Nov e. 1868. with few
interruptions the famous tenor ep-
peared each season with the Metropol.
i,ar company during the ensuing NJ.
teen years. During this period he wor
his greatest successes in the entire
Italian and French repertoire.
or Carusos earnings and wealth
many stories have appeared in print
That he received an enormous salnrl
was beyond question. This was hand
someiy augmented h. revenues derived
from the sale Of photograph records
together with his appearance in mo
ton pictures. He II said to he ono q
the largest payers of income tax 81
tho United states. During the rrea
war he donated 800 600 TO Italian 70
lief funds and contributed Eonerousl
to tho Rcd Cross and other organiza
tons
Tho famous tenor was twice married
By his FIRST wife to whom he wa
welded early in his career. he had tw
sons both Of whom saw service wi,
the italian army during the war q
August %. 1918. caruso married Mis-
u Dorothy Park BENJAMIN. n dausht,
Of Park BENJAMIN, well known pa
cnt lawyer Of New York city.