New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-03
Tenor Had No RivaIs.
Say american admirers
Father Wished Singer to Be-
come Engineer; Voice Made
EpOck in Musical World

America there grew up a conviction
that never had there heen a voice so
perfect as his. In seventecn-odd years
they had heard his tones develop from
the sweetness and richness of young
manhood to the pearls and gold of his
prime.
Jean de Reszke is remembered by
preceding generation of opera goers as
the greatest of operate tenors. An
Older generation speaks of ltalo Cam
psnInl as the peer of both Caruso and
De Reszke, and few still survive who
say that Giuseppe Mario could, above
all others, "soothe with tenor note
the souls in purgatory." But to the
minds of the great majority OF opera
goers to-day meme but Caruso's soaring
tones could take them with him up the
scale to the dome of heaven and none
will challenge his title to place among
the peers.
Born in Naples
Caruso was born in Naples, Italy,
February rs, 1873. Writing in The
Tribune of his childhood, he once said:
My parents were what you might
call good, everyday people. They were
not s,easants, and they were not nobi-
ity, but what they call in England
middle class. My father was sort of
superintendent of the warehouses of
large banking and importing concern.
l used to frequent the Waterfront
where the warehouses were, and at an
early age could swim and dive like q
porpolse. OF course, my grand ambi-
ton was to be a sailor. Every boy that
lives near harbor has that ambition
at some period in his life.
Il had arrived at the age of ten be-
fore any thought was taken of my edu-
cation. Of course, | knew the littls
THINGS fhot ,ofL L
my alphabet, and how to read the
stories in big red and blue picture
book that had been presented to me on
an eventful birthday.
Il remember one night as though it
were but yesterday that was sent to
led early. My father had given me a
task to do, and, hike many other bad
Little boys in the world, failed to do
it know that my father thought me
greatest trial that fond parents ever
had. (All fathers think that AS
lay there serving my well earned pun
1shment I heard my parents talking
about me. Ny father was for ap-
prenticing me to a mechanical en-
gineer whom he knew, but my
mother insisted that l was too
young to apprentice and that it
was wrong that l should have no
education. The discussion terminated
with me condemned to the Bronzetti IN
stitute. l say condemned, as my father
seemed to think that it was a fitting
punishment for so bad a boy; but
my mother was very much pleased.
The school was very similar to lots
of other private day schools. and I
soon accepted the restraint and disci-
pine as being matter Of course.
Finds Rival at School
"There was one boy in the school
that | shall never forget. His name
was Peter PETER and l seemed to be
antagonistic spirits from the start. He
greatly incensed me the first day by
making grimaces and mule ears at me.
They soon discovered that l had a good
boy soprano voice. In this | became an
immediate riva, of Peters; for, to the
time of my arrival, he was the best
singer of the school.
"At the end Of the second year l
Was presented with gold medal as
hsing the best singer in the school.
This so enraged my rival, Peter, that
he attacked me vicously with his fists.
returned his blows and gave him bet
ter than he sent, and before we could
be separated chanti flowed from
Peters nose. 1t must have beer
humorous scene, to see two little boys
fighting viciously for thc doubtful
honor, each in his Sunday clothes, be-
fore the assembled parents and
faculty. However, sympathy seemed to
be with Peter, for the head master, or
presidente. as we called him, repri-
manded me severely before everybody.
became greatly enraged then and tore
off my gold medal and threw it on the
floor at his feet. Then my father came
up and said he would take care of me-
On arrival at home he gave me
EranlrJnU and T
would sing no more in the institute.
And | never did.
About year after this event | was
apprenticed to the mechanical engineer
took little interest in my new work,
but showed some aptitude in mechani-
cal drafting and caligraphy. In fact,
it was in this position that first be-
came interested in sketching. For
time ! thought that 1 would attend the
art schools, and visions of becoming
great artist arose within me. But the
voice triumphed, and all my spare
time was put in at singing.
His Mother Dies
when I was fifteen my mother died
had stayed at the mechanical desk
only because of her pleadings, SO left
Immediately, determined to devote my
self permanently to music. My father
was SO incensed at this action that
great scene ensued, in which he told
me that he was done with me and my
music and in the future i could shift
for myself. Whether the poor man
thought to drive me back to my ap-
premiership or really gave me up as
disgrace to him | have never been able
to determine, but with the stubborn
ness of his own son l left the house.
"And now began my wanderings In
the course of time they have taken me
to remote corners of the earth; they
have taken me before great person
ages;' they have given Caruso host of
friends--not acquaintance, but friends.
"Let me tell you the odd way / began
my career as a professional vocalist.
had lodgings in a house close to the
Church of SAINT Anna ALA Paludi,
where the organist himself was
singer. Just to amuse myself / used
TO sing in my room, and the organist
heard me. One day, having contracted
a serious throat trouble, he sent for
me and asked me to sing in his place.
To say ! consented is inside the mark.
l jumped at the chance. jumped with
my best energy and enthusiasm, afraid
it might get away.
"The organist taught me the Litany,
and for long while after that sang
at the Tuesday services, for Tuesday
is the day dedicated to ST. Anne and
her church is then thronged with wor-
shippers. 1t was really a tremendous
job had undertaken, since the services
lasted practically all day; but I was