The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-08-02

that when ready for a professional
career he should pay him one quarter
Of his earnings for the following five
years.
He made his debut in "L'Amico
Francesca" at the Nuovo theater, in
Naples, in 1894, later toured Italy ana
Sicily and was eugaged for four sea-
sons at La Scala, Milan. Subsequently
he sang in st. Petersburg, Moscow,
Warsaw, Rome. Lisbon, Paris, London
and leading cities in Germany. When
ne came 10 the Metropolitan Opera
house in New York on November 20.
1908, the critics did not go into ecssta>
cies over him. One Of them wrote, on
the opening night: "Signor Caruso (as
the Duke in 'Rigoletto' has) many OF
the tiresome Italian vocal affections
and when he neglects to cover his
tones, as he always does when he be-
comes strenuous, his voice becomes
pallid."
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, suit of fleshings
and a neckerchief. Some years later
Maurice Grau, the impressario, nego'
tiated with him 10 sing in America
Cor $500 a month but thought the sal
arv excessive and the deal fell through
Grau was quick to perceive the OPP
rortunity he had lost and finally en-
gagged Caruse for 80 performances at
81 900 a night. But Mr.. Grau became
IL and Caruso. when singing in Lisbon
received word that again ne must
abandon his hope of singing in Ameri-
ca. Heinrich Conried, who followed
Mr.. Grau at the Metropolitan 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 puphc'
il is known that Caruso, at the height
Of his Metropolitan career, was receiv-
ing an average of $4,000 for each per-
formance. On special occasions, such
as his 1920 season in Havana, he was
paid $4,000 a night.
The list of Italian and French operas
in which the noted tenor's name fig
ures since he first sang in New Yort
revealed an amazing versatility. In 10
wears he sang no less than 549 times,
in one season, 1907-S making 81 ap-
pearances. a great test of endurance
for any voice. He was unsparng, u
not reckless, Of his vocal powers. No
grand opera tenor in America, from
the days of Brignoli, Campanini, Ra-
velu. Tamagno and Jean de Reszke, II
is recorded, ever regned so long in
popular favor.
Caruso, after his strenuous opera
seasons. sometimes had trouble with
his throat. which he usually overcamc
with little rest and care and at GER
tain intervals, rumors that 'Caruso VIII
never sing again were frequently
printed. In the Winter Of 1920, how
ever, he suffered a serious aiflicuon
when q small blood vessel In his
throat burst while he was singing In
"EIisie d'Amore" in the Brooklyn
Academy of Music. Recovered from
this mishap. Caruso was stricken WIN
pleurisy.
During his indisposition, Caruso was
the object Of devoted attention by his
wife, formerly Miss Dorothy Benja-
min OF New York, whom he married
in 1918. One child was born to them
: Caruso had son by former wife
singer named Ada Ciachetu, with
whom he had been associated in opera
: at Treviso and Bologna.
Cardao's repertoire in America in
: cluded the following: Italian) Aida,
: "Rigoletto," La Boheme," "L'Afri'