New-York tribune., 1921-02-27
BY Katharine Wright

by Katharine Wright
The world has been watching at the
bedside Of Enrico Caruso. If wishes
sauld cure, the great tenor would be
singing "Ridi Pagliacci" this minute.
Affection knows no class distinction.
Ambassadors and isboring men have
rubbed shoulders in eagerness for the
latest bulletin from the sickroom. One
cry has gone up from million throats:
1Hs must not diel"
But his grave danger was not needed
to turn the thoughts of press and pub
lie to this best loved singer. Ever
since Christmas Eve, when with tragic
courage he kept faith with his public
and sang Eleazar. giving the lie to
] rumor-for the voice was there
aCaruso has haunted the thoughts of
lsvery frequenter OF the Metropolitan
Opera House and many others besides.
He has been constantly and genuinely
assed. There is scarcely an opera
9Th which his name at some time or
saer has not been associated. Com
psfisons have been inevitable, and the
senss Of loss the keener for their
making
! Since 1903, when he made his debut
i and opened the season with Marcella
Ssnbrich in "Rigoletto," the sun of
4 csruso has shone upon the Metropoli-
hn Around his name have clustered
the brilliance and triumph of first
4 nights: In 1904, in "ATda," with
anss; in 1905, with Nordiea, in "La
soconda"; in 1907, with Cavalieri, in
aerienne Lecouvreur" in 1908, with
Osstnn, in Aida; IN 1909, with Des-
aaa, in ia Gioconda'; in 1910, with
sfsmstad, in "Armide'; in 1911, with
Dsstinn, in Aida; in 1912, with Bori,
Il . 'Manon Lescaut"; in 1919, with
usstinn, in "La Gioconda"; in 1914,
Il NH Destinn, in "Un Baiio in Mas
y 'asss'; in 1915, with Matzenauer, in
Sanson ct DaliIa"--but why run
afough the list? Every one remem-
Asss, aud every one remmembers, too,
sa only the giories Of Arst nights but
10 innumsrable Marios, and Canios,
asaoltos and NeInorinos, Radameses
s .aa Don Joses, Fausts and Johns Of
4syaen, AlvEros and Des Grienxes,
1asddus and Dukes of Mantua SO
enefously spread through seventeen
sAss Of service during which Enrico
g eafaso has given the best Of his voice
"a Of his art TO the people of New
81 la,k.
Three Great Impersonations
VI The mass OF approximations in
@s singers career three stand out pre-
a'aently-his Samson, his John of
e7den, his Eleazar. They are perhaps
.a TIE most popular--his Canio more
aaa any other role having endeared
IN TO the multitude-bus they are his
a0st distinguished achievement. FoI
81 ! saese three roles Caruso has shown
las ne is capable Of acting not merely
q no his voice. His sense of humor is
" permitted to spill over 10 the de.
81 suction Of all histrionic illusion
'aese three portraits are heroic, the
81 aafea Of his. artistic maturity.
81 AID IT IS rot only the uninitiatet
# ''ses Of gsrlic-seented standees whe
ssa thrilled TO his voice in great as
lesser moments that have missed
g from the Metropolitan. Caruso's
,snes are universal, and some Of then
'@hg TO the critical clan.
# Hnneker and Caruso
~ Christmas time, before the more
sAm grim battle with death wa:
ssas disquieting rnmors, came from
: hetel Vanderbilt. On a certain
sssoas night the late James Gibbons
.assss went in person to inquire for
= great artist. Some ono expressed
q sspsise:
Why. Of course, I'd do thai foi
4aso." said Jim the Penman. II love
@ gedy seemed imminent. and the
= gaoulish preparations were on in
IS asWspaper Offices Of the town. III
SUBWAY, on his way downtown &c
s ass proofs, the same critic said;
M ae gets we'll, and I hope with al
asaft he does, III send him rny
"a y some day. TN make him laugh
: aaneker's last thought was for
Sork That Sunday article OF
I'D sSa sse critic spoke few hours be.