The New York herald., 1921-08-03
Worlds Greatest Tenor Sue
cumbs in Naples When Sub
phrenic Abscess Brings
on PeritOnitis.
HEART FAILS QUICKLY
Had Recently Given Thanks
for His Recovery at Sane
tuary of Our Lady Of
Pompeii.
SORROW In NEW YORK
Associates Here Doubt if His
Like as a Tenor Will Be
Developed in Near
Future.
By the associated Press.


NAPLES, Italy, Aug. 2.-Enrico
Caruso, whose ultimate recovery had
been hoped for under the benign in
fuences Of his own Italy, passed
away at 9 o'clock this morning at
the Hotel Vesuvius in this city The
great tenor had been brought here
hurriedly from Sorrento, on the Bay
OF Naples, where less than a week
ago he avowed his returning strength
and expressed the conviction that
he would sing again as in the days
gone by.
He had been able to visit the famous
sanctuary of Our Lady Of Pompeii.
giving thanks Offering for his recov.
cry. He went also to the wonderful
Island Of Capri, where he attended
luncheon in his honor. But soon
afterward unfavorable symptoms, in
the form of a high fever, manifested
themselves, and his wife telegraphed
to Rome specialist to come to Sor.
rento. II was then discovered that
new internal abscess had developed.
Caruso's removal to Rome for an
operation was advised, but he showed
such weakness that 1t was impossible
to transfer him further than Naples,
where he arrived by sea Sunday even
ing. Four eminent physicians we're
called in consultation, and their ex
animation showed the presence OF
subphrenic abscess, accompanied by
severe peritonitis.
sank Rapidly to Death.
An operation at noon to-day was de-
cided upon, but the patients condl-
ton became suddenly worse at 4:30
this morning and he died soon after
ward. Prior TO this heart stimulation
was resorted to hourly.
In order that Caruso should not tire
himself the attending physicians or
dered him not TO speak. so during his
last night he uttered no word. not even
speaking to his wife. or the MEM
bers of his family present at the death
bed the most pathetic was his old
mother. who had always clung ob-
stinately to her little home. despite her
sons efforts TO accustom her to the
material comforts of life.
Present also at the bedside were his
wife, who was Dorothy. daughter of
Park Benjamin Of New York; Carusos
little daughter. Gloria, and his son.
Rodolfo: his brother, Giovanni; several
nephews and the composers Vincenzo
Bellezza and Paolo Longone.
For time after his arrival in Italy
Caruso showed Improvement, his ma
tive air having a beneficial effect. That
his voice remained strong and clear
was evidenced when recently he sang
before the soprano HidaIgo and the
barytone Montesanto, who expressed
their delight.
Heart weakened Rapidly.
There was grave anxiety however.
when Caruso only a few days ago be-
gan to show signs of depression. The
rising temperature. which had charac-
terized previous attacks. required, and
steadily his condition grew worse until
Saturday when he suffered from vio-
lent pains in the abdominal region.
The medical consultation followed, and
II was apparent that the patient was
not only suffering acute physical pain.
but that his heart was weakening rap
idly. Oxygen was administered and
other measures were taken to prolong
his vitality.
At his own request Caruso's body
will be embalmed and the funeral SER
vices will be held tomorrow. IL is
recalled that when he lay gravely
stricken in New York he had oppressed
the wish that he might die In Italy.
and now all Italy is mourning that this
sad wish has come true.
The feeling of Italians has always
been one of pride that Caruso for no
many years represented the musical
genius of their race, and not only that.
many of them had found a friend IN
the beloved singer In time OF need