The New York herald., 1921-11-28
Impressive Caruso
Memorial Concert
by Stars of Opera
Bust of the Great Tenor Pre-
sented to Metropolitan by
His Widow.

There was a capacity audience yester-
day afternoon In the Metropolitan Opera
House for the Enrico Caruso memorial
concert. Every box and seat In the
house was taken and there were as
many standees as the law allows.
It was an impressive and solemn occa-
sion. The stage, where were seated
members of the chorus and orchestra,
was hung with black and the men and
women of the chorus all wore blach At
the front of the stage, at the left of the
audience, was placed the bust Of the late
Enrico Caruso made by Onorio Ruotolo.
a personal friend of the artist, which
was given to the Metropolitan Opera
House by Mrs. Caruso.
The bust was covered with American
and Italian flags IS it rested on flower
decked pedestal until they were removed
by President of the Board of Aldermen
Florello Fl. La Guardia. who presented
the bust to the Metropolitan Opera
House.
His address Of presentation was lis
tened to with much attention and there
were some in the audience who were
visiby affected. He said:
II have been assigned to-day to repre-
sent Mrs Caruso and her little baby,
Gloria, in presenting to you. Mr.. Kahn.
for the Metropolitan Opera Company,
the bust OF the great Enrico Caruso.
This duty brings commlngling of sor-
row and JOY. Sorrow that the great
Caruso is no longer and was so untimely
and prematurely taken from US and joy
that his inspiration lives on and that
we are gathered here to-day to do him
honor and to pay tribute. to his art and
to him as a man. Useful Is our purpose
to-day, as he would have us, raising
funds for a benevolent scope for those
who were less fortunate. but for whom
he had such great love and affection.
Brought Joy TO World.
I'VE Of this generation shall never
forget Caruso. There Is not part OF
the civilized world but that he has
brought joy. Hard will be the task OF
his successors. Whenever Aida Sam
son. 'Pagliacci' or La Boheme' will be
sung your audience in going out will
recall the great genius and the art OF
Enrlco Caruso and many a time in
going home will the recorded voice OF
the great tenor be put on the machine
to rehear, by comparison. perhaps, and
to bring back fond memories of the
silver voice of the man with the golden
heart.
II have the honor. Mr.. Kahn, to pre-
sent to you. on behalf Of Mrs. Dorothy
Caruso, for the Metropolitan Opera Com
pany. to be placed in the foyer Of the
Metropolitan Opera House the bust Of
the greatest artist of all ages, Enrico
Caruso."
Mr.. Otto Fl. Kahn. chairman of the
board of directors of the Metropolitan
Opera House, in their behalf accepted
the bust. which In future will be viewed
by patrons of the opera house He
said:
With deep emotion ! stand before
this bust of our unforgettable friend,
Enrico Caruso. given into our keeping
by the gracious lady who was the faith
fui devoted and helpful partner of the
last few years of glorious life, cut
| OFF. alas. In its prime.
ITO the opera loving public of New
York Caruso left imperishabe memo
ries OF JOY and beauty. To us, the Met
r0Dolttan Opera, he left the priceless
and inspiring legacy of his glory. We
shall treasure and cherish ii. The flame
on his altar shall never burn low.
"On behalf Of the Metropolitan Opera
Company. reverently and gratefully. I
accept this memorial to Enrico Caruso.' -
Mrs. Caruso was in Box until after
the presentation. and her late husband 8
brother Giovanni Caruso. was in one
OF the parterre boxes Mr.. Bruno
Zlrato. who for MANY years was con-
fidentia' secretary for Mr.. Caruso with
Mrs. Zirato, was In a grand tier box.
Verdi Home the Beneficiary.
The proceeds Of the concert. which
! were estimated at 1000. will be given
! 10 the Verdi Home for Aged Musicians
in Milan. Italy. The concert that pre-
ceded and followed the presentation OF
's1c bust was one that might have been
given in a church. Messrs. Giuseppe
Borboschek, Arthur Bodanzky, Roberto
Moranzoni. Gcnnaro Papi. Giulio Setti
and Albert Wolff directed for different
numbers of the programme sung by
artists who had for seasons been asso-
ciated with Mr.. Caruso. The pro-
gramme includ ID the "PaIsl'al" prelude
| by the orchestra: the REQUIEM and
Kyrie from Verdi's Mass. with Mines
Marie Sundelius and Jeanne Gordon.
Massrs. Giovanni Martinelli and Jose
Mardones. accompanied by chorus and
orchestra: Hardel's "Lascia Ch'o
Pianga," by Giuseppe de Luca Cesar
Franck's "Panis Angeicus." by Nine,
Frances Aida Bizets "Agnus Del" by
Beniamino Gigll the Bach Gounod "Ava
Maria" by Nine. Amelita .Galli-Curci !;
Mendelssohr's "Oh for the Wings of a
Dove" by Miss Geraldine Farrar Ros-
sini's 'Inflammatus" from his "Stabar
Mater" by Nine. Sundelius and chorus,
and the "Dies Irae" from the Verdi Mass
by the same quartet of singers. Chopin's
Funeral March" was played by the
orchestra. which accompanied each vocal
number. There were some attempts at
applause. but these were all hushed.
In one OF parterre boxes were Gen.
Giuseppe Vaccari Of the Italian army,
who came here for the conference in
Washington: LN, Marquis Vttorio di
Rernezzo. Militar Attache of the Italian
Embassy. and thu italian Vice-Consuls
at New York. Messrs. Rochira and
Rossi.