caruso's career one study stoicism face adversity, his ......ludi, enrico caruso received the...

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Caruso's Operatic Career One of Ceaseless Study and Stoicism in Face of Adversity, and His Good Nature Won Him Friends «.». It was pointed out, might prove As he had wished. Caruso's hody will be embalmed and funeral services held to-morrow. It is recalled that when he lay stricken in New York ho had ex¬ pressed the wi?h that he might die in Italy, and now all Italy is mourning that this sad wish has come true. Tenor Had No Rivals, Say American Admirers Father Wished Singer to Be¬ come Engineer; Voice Made Epoch in Musical World Through all the years that Enrico Caruso haf, thrilled, charmed and de¬ lighted opera and concert audiences in America tierc grew up a conviction that never had there been a voice so perfect as his. In seventeen-odd years they had heard his tones develop from the sweetness and richness of young manhood to the pearls and gold of his prime. J-ean de Reszke is remembered by a preceding generation of opera goers us the greatest of operatic tenors. An older generation speaks of Halo Cam- panini as the peer of both Caruso and I>e Re-szke, and a few f=till survive who say that Giuseppe Mario could, above all others, "soothe with a tenor note the souls in purgatory." But to the minds of the great majority of opera- goars to-day none 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 a place among the peers. Horn in Naples Caruso was born in Naples, Italy, February 25, 1873. Writing in The Tribune of his childhood, he once said: "My parents were what you might call good, everyday people. They were no* peasants, and they were not nobil¬ ity, but what they call in England middle class. My father was a sort of superintendent of the warehouses of u large banking and importing concern. Î used to irequent trie waterfront where the warehouses were, and at an eaxly age could swim and dive like a porpoise. Of course, my grand ambi¬ tion was to be a sailor. Every boy that lives near a harbor has that ambition at some period in his life. "I had arrived at the age of ten be¬ fore any thought was taken of my edu¬ cation. Of course, I knew the littk things that my mother had taught nn .my alphabet, and how to read th; stories in a big red and blue picture book that had been presented to me or an eventful birthday. ''I remember one night as though it were but yesterday that I was sent tc ted early. My father had given me i task to do, and, like many other bac little boys in the world, I failed to d< it I know that my father thought m< the worst boy in the world, and th< greatest trial that fond parents ev.i had. (All fathers think that.) As lay there serving my well earned pun ishment I heard my parents talkinj about me. .My father was for ap prenticing me to a mechanical en gineer whom he knew, but mother insisted that I was to« young to apprentice and that i was wrong that I should have n< education. The discussion terminate« with me condemned to the Bronzetti In atitute. I say condemned, as my fathe seemed to think that it was a iittinj punishment for so bad a boy; bu my mother was very much pleased The school W8>: very similar to lot: of other private day schools, and soon accepted the restraint and disci pline as being a matter of course. Finds Rival at School "There was one boy in the schoo that I shall never forget. His nam was Peter. Peter and I seemed to b> antagonistic spirits from the start. H< greatly incensed me the first day b; making grimaces and mule ears at me They soon discovered that I had a gooi boy soprano voice. In thi& I became ai immediate rival of Peter's; for, to th time of my arrival, he was the bes singer of the school. "At the end of the second year v- <s presented with a gold medal a ! ¿ing the best singer in the schoo' This so enraged my rival, Peter, tha be attacked me viciously with his lists I returned his blows and gave him bet ter than he sent, and before we coul be separated chianti flowed fror Peter's nose. It must have beer, humorous scene, to see two little boy fighting viciously for the doubtfi, honor, each in his Sunday clothes, be fore the assembled parents an faculty. However, sympathy seemed t be with Peter, for the head master, o presidente, as we called him, repr: manded me severely before everybod; I became greatly enraged then and tot off my gold medal and threw it on th floor at his feet. Then my father cam up and said he would take care of mi On arrival at homo he gave me .pankin-g, and I.vowed then and there would sing Ho more in the institut And I never did. "About a year after this event I w* apprenticed to the mechanical enginee I took little interest in my new wor but showed some aptitude in mechan cal drafting and caligraphy. In fac it was in this position that I first b came interested in sketching. For time I thought that I would attend tl art schools, and visions of becoming great artist arose within me. But tl voice triumphed, and all my spai time was put in at singing. His Mother Dies "When 1 was fifteen my ciother die I had stayed at the mechanical des only because of her pleadings, so I le immediately, determined to devote m self permanently to music. My fath was so incensed at this action that great scene ensued, in which he to me that he was done with me and n music and in the future Ï could shi for myself. Whether the poor mi thought to drive me back to my a prenticeship or really gave me up as disgrace to him I have never been ah to determine, but with the stubhor ness of his own son I left the house. "And now began my wanderings. the course of time they have taken n to remote corners of the earth; th have taken me before great perso ages; they have given Caruso a host friends.not acquaintances, but frienc "Let me tell you the odd way 1 begi my career as a professional vocalist. bad lodgings in a house close to t Church of Sant' Anna alia Palu< where the organist himself was singer. Just to amuse myself I usi to sing in my room, and the organi heard me. One day, having contract a serious throat trouble, he sent f me and asked me to sing in his pla< To say I consented is inside the ma» I jumped at the chance. I jumped wi my best energy and enthusiasm, afra it might get »way. "The organist taught me tho Litat and for a long while after that 1 sa; at the Tuesday services, for Tuesd is the day dedicated to St. Anne ai her church is then thronged with wc »hipers. It was really a tremendo job I had undertaken, since the servie lasted practically all day; but I w paid.paid in real money. How muc do you imagine? I'll tell you, witho exaggerating. With my hand on n heart, I do solemnly declare that f every day's work faithfully perform in the Church of Sant' Anna alla P ludi, Enrico Caruso received the da aling »um of one lira.20 cents! Y< actually?" Began to Stndy Singing He was shortly afterward advised study with a teacher named Vergin who recognized at once his pupil's gre gift, but carefully refrained from ir parting his knowledge to Caruso hir self. Caru?> studied with Vergine f four years under ft contrae* by wb» Latest Photo of Caruso to Reach U. S. Picture of the tenor taken on the balcony of his palace at Sorrento, Italy, a few weeks before his death. ¡he agreed to pay his teacher 25 per cent of his earnings for five years. After leaving Vergine he obtained his first engagement at the Teatro Nouvo in Naples, appearing in Mo- 'jelli's "Amico Francisco," an opera that had only a short life. But young Caruso's gifts had become recognized, especially after he had sung Alfredo in "La Traviata." Vergine, who had been keeping a watchful eye on his old pupil, now be¬ gan to demand his share of the profits, and his extortions became so out of all j oaten that Car use went to law, and after a legal battle a settlement was made whereby he paid Vergine 20,000 lire, thereby setthng all future ac¬ counts. Shortly after this Caruso w»3 drafted for the army. His Army Life Many stories are told of the tenor's military service, especially how he often obtained from his officers remis¬ sion of punishment both for himself and for others by his sweet singing. His officers took a great interest in his gift, and it was through them that at the expiration of hiß service he ob¬ tained a position in the opera house at Caserta. After singing in Caserta for a seasion he went; to Genoa, where be sang in "Favorita" and "Traviata." But Caruso's first real fame was made in 1898, in Milan, where he sang in Poncielli's "La Gioconda" and in Massenet's "La Navarraise." So great was his success that he was engaged for La Scala to create the tenor vole in tho first Italian production of Mas¬ senet's "Sapho." From Milan he went to Egypt, and from there to Russia, where his success was immediate. He was now winning for himself an inter¬ national reputation, and he sang suc¬ cessively in Paris, Beriin, Buenos Ayrca and i'io dc Janeiro. Gets American Engagement It is interesting to observe that when Caruso made his Naples début he sang the title role four tinaos, for which he received 100 francs, a pair of »tage shoes, a suit of fleshings and a neckerchief. Some years later Mau¬ rice Grau, the impresario, negotiated with him to sing in America for $700 a month, but thought the salary ex¬ cessive, and the deal fell through. Mr. Grau was quick to perceive the op¬ portunity he had lost and finally en¬ gaged Caruso for fifty performances at $1,000 a night. But Mr. Grau became ill and Caruso, when singing- in Lisbon, received word that again he must abandon his hope of sitiging in Amer¬ ica. 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. He made his American début at the Metropolitan Opera House in Verdi's "Rigoletto" November 23,1903, the open¬ ing night of the opera season. In the cast were Marcella Sembrich, Louise Homer and Antonio Scotti. Caruso's success was in-stantanoous. He was hailed by the critics as the possessor of one of the great voices of the century, and he took his place as the most pop¬ ular operatic artist in America. After his great success in America Caruso sang little elsewhere. The few times that did appear in London or on the Continent were always marked by a raise in the price of admission. At one time in Berlin seats were sold for $40 each. Although no official statement of his earnings was ever made public, it is known that Caruso, at the height of his Metropolitan career, was receiving an average of $5,000 for each perfor¬ mance. On special occasions, such as his 1920 season in Havana, he was paid $10,000 a night. Unsparing of His Voice The liât of Italian and French operas in which the noted tenor's name figures since he first sang in New York reveals an amazing versatility. In sixteen years he sang no less than 549 times, and in one season, 1907-'08, he made fifty-one appearances, a great test of endurance for any voice. He was unsparing, if not reckless, of his vocal powers. No grand opera tenor in America, from the days of Brignoli, Campanini, Ravclli, Ta- magno and Jean de Reszke, it is re- corded, ever reigned so long in popular favor. It was generally conceded that Caruso possessed one of the greatest voices of all time. In its prime it was at the same time powerful and mellow, of a silken texture that earned it the title of the "golden voice." He used it, too, with great skill, and there seemed practically nothing that he was unable to do with it. He sung at first mostly lyric parts, such as the Duke in "Rigo¬ letto," Alfredo in "Traviata" and Ro¬ dolfo in "Bohème." In these parts he was vocally supreme. Gradually, how¬ ever, he began to appear in more dra¬ matic rôles, such as Rhadames in "Aida" and Canio in "Pagliacci." Many Operaa in Repertoire His repertoire in America included the following: (Italian) "Aida," "Rigo¬ letto," "La Bohème," "L'Africaine." "La Favorita," "La Sonnambula," "La Traviesa," "Les Huguenots," "Fedora," "Adrit'ipe Lecouvreur," "Cavalleria Rusticana," "Pagliacci," "L'Amore dei tre Re," "Un Bailo in Maschera," "Lo- doletta," "Marta," "L'Elisir d'Amore," "Manon Lescaut," "Madama Butterfly," "La Fanciulla del West," "Lucia di Lammermoor," "La Gioconda," "II Trovatore," "Don Giovanni," "Ger¬ mania," "Iris," "Lucrezia Borgia," "Tosca" and "La F:>rza del Destino"; (French) "Les Pécheurs dea Perles," "Armicle," "Faust," "Julien," "Le Prophète," "Carmen," "Samson et Da- lila" and "Manon." The famous singer was the guest of honor at a silver jubilee celebration on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his operatic début, in Nove;mbefl\ 1919, at the Metropolitan, at which prominent New Yorkers, including the Mayor and other officials, spoke of his great artis¬ tic achievements. He received an il¬ luminated parchment from thirty-five families holding boxes in the "Golden Horseshoe," a flag from the City of New York, several medals and numer¬ ous gifts from his fellow artists. ,. Close Friend of Rival Riccardo Martin, the American tenor, was one of Caruso's closest friends, despite the fact that they sang exactly the same parts. Martin often said that Caruso's personal instruction was the most valuable training he had ever received. Caruso while a member of the Met¬ ropolitan passed through many vicissi¬ tudes. He was singing in San Fran¬ cisco during the earthquake and loBt there most of his personal effects. During the season of 1909-10 Caruso was greatly annoyed by Italian black¬ mailers, who sent him threatening let¬ ters» He put one of these letters into the hands of the police, and as a result two Italians were arrested in Brooklyn while attempting to take a roll of marked bills. They were indicted and held for trial. In June, 1920, while Caruso was sing¬ ing- in "Aida" at the National Theater, Havana, a bomb was exploded in the washroom of the gallery. It was a powerful explosive and almost wrecked the building. Neither Caruso nor any member of the company was hurt, but hundreds cf the audience were injured, chiefly in the panic which ensued after the explosion. Caruso was married many years ago in Italy, to art Italian girl of fine ac¬ complishments, who died leaving him a son, Enrico Caruso jr., who is a stu¬ dent at the Culver Military Academy, in Indiana. He was married again on August 21,1918, to Miss Dorothy Park Benjamin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs Park Benjamin, of New York; the cere¬ mony taking p! -ce st the Marble Collo- giate Church, on Fifth Avenue. An¬ nouncement of this event was a com¬ plete surprise not only to the general public, hut also to the numerous friends of both bride and bridegroom. The couple had been acquainted for several years and that summer Caruso was for a time the guesr of Mr. and Mrs. Park Benjamin at their country home at Spring Lake, N. J. A year or more later a daughter was born to them, to whom was given the name of Gloria. One of the greatest joys of Caruso's life was his baby daughter, the "rich¬ est song baby in the world." He was never weary of singöng lullabies to her, which if sung upon the stage would have commanded him fees of thousands of dollars. Before she was a year old it was reckoned that he had expended several hundred thousand dollars' worth of vocalization upon her. Moreover, iike both a true artist and a doting father, he gave the same attention to the songs which he sang to her at home that he did to his most brilliant arias on the Metropolitan stage. In addi¬ tion, he exercised for her delectation his marvelous skill at "making faces" and in drawing comical cartoons. Had Residence in Florence Mr. and Mrs. Qaruso resided in New York City during the opera season. They had a summer home on Long Island and anothea* residence, Ville alle Panche, at Florence, Italy. Early in June, 1020, their home at Easthampton, L. I,, was entered by burglars, and Mrs. Caruso's jewels, valued at between £400,000 and $500,000, were stolen. Caruso was at that time in Havana, and on hearing of the loss cabled to his wife: "Not at all wor¬ ried. Will replace jewels at once. Do not think about them again. Do not fret." Sang for Club Over Phone One evening, as he came off the stag« as Samson, Caruso %'as called upon in his dressing room ly a young man in naval uniform, wbj was intro¬ duced as Ensign H. i.. Dempsey, of San Francisco. "As representative of "he Press Club of San Francisco, of whicit I was for¬ merly r-ecretary," said Ensign D> mpsey, "I desire to place in your ha id this silver plate, er card, which »aakes you an honorary life member c t our or¬ ganization, of which we ¿re very proud." "And wau this honor? What have I ever dono lor the San Francisco Press Club?" "WbjRf replied Ensign Dempsey, "have you forgotten that three years ago, on the occasion of the tenth an¬ nual entertainment of our Press Club after the fire (which you personally re¬ member), you did us the honor to sing us a song all the way from Atlanta over the long distance telephone? It was a memorable event, and for three years we have been trying to catch you to givo you this testimonial of our appreciation." In the great war Caruso was intense¬ ly interested, from both the Kalian and the American points of view. He often sang for patriotic causes, and let him¬ self bo filmed for the movies for the benefit of the Red Cross. At the notable meeting at tho Metropolitan Opera House shortly after the war, at which President Wilson and ex-Presi- dent Taft spoke for the League of Na¬ tions, ho electrified the audience by singing "The. Star-Spungled Banner." He was, of course, dcoply interested in Gabriele d'Annunzio'a proceedings at Fiume. and sent to him a lnrge sum of money to aid him in his occupation of that city. He said that he did not know anything about the political issues in¬ volved, but he believed that Fiume rightfully belonged to Italy, and for that reason he supported the poet. Cites Padercwski's Fate "This is merely a personal matter," said th«i singer. "I myself do not mix in politics. I do not believe that any artist should enter tha political field, unless he is willing to lose his art. Look what it has done to Paderewski." Dey jite his long experience and his brilliant preeminence on the operatic stage, Caruso only a year ago declared that he often suffered from stage fright, and was intensely nervous be¬ fore und durin" each performance. "Each timo I sing I feel as if th*!re were some one waiting to seizo my po¬ sition from itiB, to destroy Caruso," he ..aid. "And I must fight, figut like a bull, to hold my own." He remarked that frequently he is "scai*ed to death" on arriving at the opera and feeling that his voice is not within him. He gave as an instance a performance of "La Juive," in Brooklyn. "But the moment I appeared on the stage and beheld the audience, among them Bond, I realized that I hud to sing, and thorn was no other way out of it," he said. "And then a miracle happened. Some one. some unseen power, seemed to un¬ lock the compartment within me that holds my voice, and I sang. I sang with all the voice and power within me. You see, we artists must struggle desperately to get to the top, and when once there we must hold on. hold on with all the strength we havt\ For, once we slip, the journey down is steep and fast. I frequently feel unable to sing until I arrive in my dressing room and put on my clothes. Once in the proper atmosphere my voice appears, and then it's up to me to make tho most of it." Caruso had a repertoiro of seventy- five rôles, but he denied that he re¬ garded any one as his favorite. "I have no choice," he said. "It is the public that creates the favorite rôles of Caruso. The singer that favors one over another is not a singer but a specialist. The singer who is an artist must be able to sing a role of fifteen measures with the same earn¬ estness and enthusiasm with which he tings a difficult and extensive one." Illness He Suffered Here Regarded As Cured Fully Before Caruso Sailed Caruso's voice was heard in public for the last time on last Christmas Eve. Eleven days after the bursting of a blood vessel in his throat while singing "L'Elisir d'Amore," at the Academy of Music in Brooklyn, he was billed for the same opera again at the Metropolitan. But the announcement came that he had a cold and would not sing. He was expected on the stage the following evening in "La Juive." Dur¬ ing the day the news came that Caruso was ill in bed with intercostal neural¬ gia, and another postponement was an¬ nounced. With Christmas only one day off and the holiday spirit rising high, Caruso insisted on appearing in "La Juive" on the evening of the 24th. His singing of Eleazar brought forth an ovation that only Caruso could receive from a Metropolitan au¬ dience, and his voice had all of the usual ringing, golden qualities. Begins With Sharp Pain After the performance Caruso went to a Christmas tree party for his daughter Gloria. On Christmas Day, soon after 1 o'clock in the afternoon, the final and, as it proved, fatal ill¬ ness began. Caruso was taken with a sharp pain in his side. He went to bed, and five doctors and two nurses were hurriedly summoned. They found that he was suffering from pleurisy, and although the physicians said the tenor would be confined to his room "for a period" there wus a deepening the uneasiness that had been grow¬ ing as his stage accidents and seizures had followed one after another, A brief announcement was made from the Hotel Vanderbilt on Decem¬ ber 29 that there had been an opera¬ tion. Caruso had developed suppura- tive pleurisy, the doctors said, and it had been necessary to drain the cavity. A second bulletin, the day following, told of another drainage and added that empyema had set in. From New Year's Day until the mid¬ dle of February bulletins from the sickroom reported that Caruso was holding out well. When it seemed that the tenor must certainly be well on the road to con¬ valescence there was the sudden an¬ nouncement of a serious relapse. Con¬ stant suppuration had weakened the heart. The tanks of oxygen that had been in readiness ever since Decem¬ ber were put to use and Caruto rallied. Lobby Always Anxious For weeks afterward the lobby of the Vanderbilt was crowded daily with anxious inquirers after the tenor's con¬ dition. The five doctors were in con¬ stant attendance and two or three bul¬ letins were issued daily. Enrico junior, at the Culver Military Academy in Indiana, was sent for and Cwuso's brother, Giovanni, sailed for New York from Italy. In March there was a third opera¬ tion to drain the pleural cavity. Caruso rested comfortably afterward, and a steady improvement began until he was able to sit up by a window and then take an automobile ride. lie went to Atlantic City and on May 28 was strong enough to sail for his villa in Italy. An immense throng bade him farewell. Although opinions differed among medical men an to whether the great tenor would ¡sing again, Caruso and the Metropolitan Opera House force insisted that he would. He tried his voice occasionally, and even hummed over a hundred or more songs. He denied that his voice was (,one and cabled to America with characteristic whimsicality his thanks "for the .free ads." , At the beginning of July it was ru¬ mored that Caruso's recovery was not progressing well and that ' the old, marvelous voice was impaired. Never¬ theless, he was singing a little bit every day, had not lost confidence and was living quietly near Naples. He fully expected to rejoin the Metropoli¬ tan company in the autumn. Last Sunday the newspapers here carried photographs of the tenor in golf coat and flannels, looking well and happy, and with traces of his own familiar smile about his face. "It's Hard to Believe" "It's hard to believe," was the gen¬ eral comment in New York, when the cable flashed the news of his death. Enrico Caruso, with the velvet voice that the alchemy of time transmuted into gold with the passing years, was a familiar and loved figure along Broadway. lie lived at the Hotel Knickerbocker season after season, and when the doors there were closed and the picture of Old King Cole taken down from the wall he moved to the Hotel Vanderbilt. No other singer in the world ever achieved the fame that came to him. His singing and his occasional appear¬ ances in motion pictures brought him an income of $500,000 a year. His voice was equal to any demand, from the heaviest opera rôles to "Macushla" and simple Italian ballads. His opera contract brought him $5,000 for every performance and a phonograph com¬ pany paid him $125,000 a year. He was paid $7,000 for an appearance in Buenos Ayres. Having refused to sing in concert for twelve years or more, Caruso con¬ sented in 1917 to appear in auditoriums in Cincinnati, Toledo and Pittsburgh. He enjoyed a triumphal tour. He was met at railroad stations by bands, lead¬ ing citizens and police escorts. He en¬ joyed the experience so much that euch year thereafter he reserved a certain period during which he took his smile and his voice on the road. A concert in Monareal, where the élite in evening attire sat on pino board benches and rested their feet on a sawdust covered floor in the hockey rink, brought in $28,700. Soemed Fully Recovered Dr. Antonio Stella, who attended Caruso during his last illness here, said yesterday that the news came as a great shock. He had received a letter on July 14 in which Caruso said that he was gaining flesh steadily end was walking a mile every day. A week before Caruso sailed, Dr. Stella said, he was examined by bis physicians, who decided that the tenor's recovery had been complete and thai. he was able to stand the voyage. The immediate cause of death, a sub- phrenic abscess, Dr. Stella said, \va:¡ an ailment different from the one that afflicted Caruso last winter. The ex¬ amining physicians were Dr. John F. F.rdmun, Dr. Hu muH W. Lambert, Dr. Evan Evans, Dr. Francis Murray and Dr. Stella. Back Stage al the Metropolitan, It Is Caruso the Man Who Will Be Missed While the world mourns the loss of Caruso of the golden voice the entire personnel of the Metropolitan Opera Company, from the most prominent of the directors to the least of the work¬ men, sorrows for the loss of Caruso the man. It is the season of the year when nearly all the well known persons con¬ nected with the opera company are out of town. Mr. Gatti-Cosazza, Otto H. Kahn, William Guard and many of the singers are in Europe. Box holdere, the occupants in the musical season of the diamond horseshoe, are at their summer homes. Other singers are in South America and in Chicago for summer engagements, or resting at their summer residences. But the great opera house is not de¬ serted, and yesterday the news of the great tenor's death swept the ranks of those who are here, leaving every man and woman suffering the feeling of great personal loss. Those at work at the Metropolitan Opera House art! for the greater part the humbler ones who go to make up the regiment of workers connected with the greut opera company. Clerical work has to be done in the summer, renovation and cleaning in the greut house itself and work on materials, properties and scene painting und set making. Back Stage Will Miss Him Edward Siedle, technical director of the Metropolitan Opera Company, who has been there for thirty years, was in command of a crew of these workmen thore yesterday, Mr. Siedle discussed the great tenor with feeiing unü sor¬ row in his tones. "To us who were part of the organ¬ ization in which he was a star he was the embodiment of kindliness, good humor and friendliness," said Mr. Siedle. "I speak for the people who work behind the scenes, the electri¬ cians, the scene shifters, stage hands, property men, costumers and doormen. His personality was so genial. He was generosity itself. Even the least of the workmen felt his kindliness. As he passed each one there was always a salutation.r^o commonness, no loss of personal dignity.just friendly good fellowship. With all his good humor Caruso had a natural dignity, and ho was resnect-äd and loved by all those who saw him back stage. Unalloyed Generosity "No ora ever came to Caruso in want and went away empty-handed, Here he was a veritable Santa Claus to all the working force. On ("mi t- mas he remembered every one, and his manner of remembering o;>ch_ was en¬ hanced by the De**«onal ki. ;linc*s ac- comnanying ail 1. '.I could tell you incidents withou umber of ciases where Caruso etepptJ into the breach und helped needy persons. "The passing kindness to a wigmaker one night comes to my mind. Caruso was in his dressing room and the wig- maker was in there on nome work. Caruso pulled a roll of bills out of his pocket and threw it on a table while lie was changing his clothes. The wig- maker sighed and said: '1 wish I had one of those-.' Expressing a wish around Caruso had its effects. ".What would you do with it?' he asked. "'Well,' replied the wigmaker, 'I would take my wife for a trip to see her mother.' '. 'Here's one,' said Caruso, and be peeled a $500 note from the roll and gave it to the wigmaker. "That's just one of many, many sim¬ ilar incidents. "When he was waiting to go on Caruso's favorite pastime was to take a pencil and paper and make carica¬ tures of any one who was about. These he would .-ign and give to the person he had pictured. Many of us have these souvenirs. "In all the years he was here I can remember no unpleasant incident for which he was responsible. Certainly his glorious voice could not have been intrusted to h man more worthy of caring for and using it. He was ser:- ou8 in his work and generous in hi« treatment of those working with him. It is needless to try to tell vou the loss we feel and. as I said, I speak for the workers behind the curtain." Always Democratic Frank Carlichs, treasurer of the Metropolitan Opera Company, was one of the few officers in the opera house yesterday. Edward Ziegler, who ha;1 been in charge while Mr. Gatti-Casazza I Caruso Where the twilight is dwp by i lie last land;/ hill, No warrior sleeps where the lésé mourners- throng ; No warrior ..¡[reps where the world's voice is still Hut one from ike silence who Game with a song. The dawn winds are hushed, for their masicrr has left; The streams that arc singing tlieir way to th" sea Ave soundless and shadowed, as singers bererft Of the lost chord of morning, uncouquerjed avid fref. He came with a song. Is there more to be said For any who sleep whs re the last flag is fziried? The twilight ha,§ called him, the gray soul has- sped. But its melody waits in Hue heart of ihr worid. c;h AKTi.ANn mr.v. 11 ,1 was in Italy this summer, sailed for Europe lust week. "Caruso's death is a loss to the whole world," said Mr. Garlich s. "Kings, statesmen, authors and great men in other lines could not mean any more to the world at large than he has, and few if any of them have been better loved. He has sung in many covniries, and the records of his voice havo gone around the world. People of every country love him, and he has given them a marvelous gift in his music. "The greatest tenor of his time, pud to me. the greatest tenor of any time, he hud everything ir» his marvelous voice. Here, as every one knows, he was our greatest drawing card. On Caruso nights we always sold out. 1 believe his most popular rôles were in 'Piigliacci' and 'Aída.' Caruso in 'Aidiv' was always a nipht of enthusi¬ asm and a crowded house. "His association wlih those who worked beside him brought, out the real character of the man, his kindliness, his humor and his charm. Live most big people, he was a real democrat, and al¬ though he jnight have been feted by the greatest he liked the genuine asso¬ ciations and companionship of hi?, friends, whetber they were well known or in humbler walks of life." Order of Sons of Italy Plans Memorial fo? Tenor John McCormack, the Irish tenor, re¬ ceived word of Enrico Caruso's death through a friend in New Yor*k at his summer home in Darien, Conn. The two tenors have been warm, friends for several years. Mr. McCormack said yesterday: "I am stunned by this news. It is one of the most awful things that ever happened. And it comes so unexpect¬ edly that I can scarcely comprehend it. Why, only a day or two before be sailed I received a telegram from Crfc- ruso full of hope and looking .forward to his return in the fall. I c;\n't re¬ alize his death and can't bear to think of it." Another of Caruso's personal friiends, Bruno Zirato, his secretary and right- hand man, collapsed yesterday morn¬ ing at hearing the news that Caruso was dead. Mr. Zirato lives at the Van- derbilt Hotel, where Caruso had an apartment. Antonio Scotti, barytone of the Met- i ropolitan Opera Company, is another of Caruso's friends who is in town, The duets of Scotti and Caruso have been among the most popular features in the musical world. The famous tenor's death came as a great shock to his friend and brother singer. "The death of Caruso ends one of' the most brilliant careers in musical history," said Amelita Galli-Curci, who sang with Carneo In South America in { 1915. "All the world will remember him, not alone for his glorious voice and untiring devotion to art, but for his human qualities, his generous heart' and his heroic straggle in his last long illness." "Jt seems a great pity that he couldn't have been spared to come back for a last triumph," said Géral¬ dine Parrar yesterday. "I am shocked beyond words." Musicians and thousands of admirers of th» groat tenor have expressed their sorrow at learning of Caruso's death. The Lotos Club cabled a message of condolence to Mrs. Caruso. Mr. Caruso was not a member of the Lotos Club, but was well known and popula}- amon its members. A special meeting of the Suprom Council of th( Orç.er of tho Sons o Italy was called for to-morrow evening to make plans for a national memoria to Caruso. Stephano Miele, nations master of the order, said that the me morial to be proposed might take th form of a Caruso foundation for th training of promising young singers, o of a Carjso theater, for the productio: of Italian opera. "Enrico Caruso did more for th Itaüíui race in this country than an; single individual," paid Mr. Miele, "uni the loss will strike deep into the heart of all Italians and Americans of Italiai birth or descent, as well as all lover: of the purest of aits, no matter wha their nationalities.*' A cablegram of'Sympathy was sen to Mrs. Caruso. It told her of th< intention to establish the foundation. "Accept deepest sympathy of th< Order of the Sons otf Italy for the greal loss which you and the world have suf¬ fered," the message read. "Our great est hope is that the memory of youi illustrious artist-husband »."ill live on To perpetuate his me*aory it is ojii purposoi to establish a memorial in hi; name." «. JL i. i At a special meeting of the board of directors of the Italian Musical League, held last night at 128 West Forty-ninth Street, the league voted tc present to the Metropolitan Op°ra Company a bronze bust of Caruso. The world famous tenor was the honor¬ ary president of the Italian Musical League. The bust is to be executed by Onoria Ruotolo and will be unveiled in the Metropolitan Opera House on the opening night of the coming opera season. Caruso Jr. Hears 'ISetrs On His Way to Pageant CULVER, Ind., Aug. 2..Enrico Ca¬ ruso jr., son of the famous tenor, was on his way to Chicago, when informed of his father's death this morning. Young Caruso, who is a student at Cul¬ ver Military Academy, left here early with a committee from the academy in charge of an exhibit the school is presenting at the Pageant of Progress being held in Chicago. He received the message at Plymouth, Ind., whexe he immediately left the party and started back to Culver. He said he had had no intimation that his father's condition was seri¬ ous. He had recently received a photo¬ graph, he said, whiph indicated that his father was in good health. The young man will remain here awaiting word from his mother. Caruso in San Francisco Saved Gift From 'Quake - Golden Gate Recalls His Pa- jama-Clad Figure, W'ith the Picture of McKinley in Arms Sperinl DisnaJch '.. The Tribu SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 2.. En¬ rico Caruso was a guest at the old Palace Hotel at the time earthquake and flames destroyed part of this city in 1906. He was the principal singer of a company especially organized to permit San Francisco to enjoy the music that New York has annually The earth rocked early in the morn¬ ing. In the terror caused by the quake thousands immediately became" Turf Shotm ¡ils Respect For Memory c. Lamso WINDSOR, Ont., Au( %. s. »:,.. bred named for fcnrico Caima upon which horse tl in making moi anima! w was ent< .. turf parlance v. ing." As soon as 1 of the horse, learned or' the tenor'» death he canee : ¡j..^ and withdrew th he announce' respect to the memory of the Btnni he would make : name of the horse retire him un'!' Death of Tenor Inspires Sympathy in Mexico City Mexico ¦::ty. Aug. 2. ^ editions of the afternoon papers wer« hed, telling of the death of jo. Great sympathy v.-af express?^ here, where I wo j ei famous tenor gave a series 0 perfora* anccs. Many messages of condolence wer« at once dispatched to Naples by the members of the foreign colony, whose guest Caruso was ;: thi visit. Not A Scrap of Metai No, sir! No metal.no pads! Ivory Garters are made of lively, long-wear¬ ing elastic with clean white composition clasps. There isn't a scrap of metai to rust and rot through the fabric.and there's no ex¬ tra stitching to pull away. Now you know the big rea¬ sons why Ivories wear longer and better than any garter you ever wore. They're two of the "Why's" it pays to buy Ivories. Ask for them.if they don't satisfy, you get a new pair free. IVORY GARTER CO. New Orleans, U. S. A. "A Tower of Strength" Complete Trust and Banking Service Commercial and Personal Checking Accounts Foreign and Domestic Banking Personal and Corporate Trust Service Safekeeping of Securities Securities Service Safe Deposit Vaults MemberFederal ReserveSvstem Capital, Surplus and Undivided Profits $40,000,000 Bankers Trust Company Downtown Office Fifth Avenue Office 16 Wall Street at 42nd Street 57th Street Office at Madison Avenue Paris Office $£z 5 P^acc Vendóme

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Page 1: Caruso's Career One Study Stoicism Face Adversity, His ......ludi, Enrico Caruso received the da aling »um of one lira.20 cents! Y< actually?" Began to Stndy Singing He was shortly

Caruso's Operatic Career One of Ceaseless Study and Stoicism in Face of Adversity, and His Good Nature Won Him Friends«.». It was pointed out, might proveAs he had wished. Caruso's hody will

be embalmed and funeral services heldto-morrow. It is recalled that when helay stricken in New York ho had ex¬pressed the wi?h that he might die inItaly, and now all Italy is mourningthat this sad wish has come true.

Tenor Had No Rivals,Say American Admirers

Father Wished Singer to Be¬come Engineer; Voice MadeEpoch in Musical World

Through all the years that EnricoCaruso haf, thrilled, charmed and de¬lighted opera and concert audiences inAmerica tierc grew up a convictionthat never had there been a voice soperfect as his. In seventeen-odd yearsthey had heard his tones develop fromthe sweetness and richness of youngmanhood to the pearls and gold of hisprime.

J-ean de Reszke is remembered by apreceding generation of opera goers usthe greatest of operatic tenors. Anolder generation speaks of Halo Cam-panini as the peer of both Caruso andI>e Re-szke, and a few f=till survive whosay that Giuseppe Mario could, aboveall others, "soothe with a tenor notethe souls in purgatory." But to theminds of the great majority of opera-goars to-day none but Caruso's soaringtones could take them with him up thescale to the dome of heaven and nonewill challenge his title to a place amongthe peers.

Horn in NaplesCaruso was born in Naples, Italy,February 25, 1873. Writing in TheTribune of his childhood, he once said:"My parents were what you mightcall good, everyday people. They were

no* peasants, and they were not nobil¬ity, but what they call in Englandmiddle class. My father was a sort ofsuperintendent of the warehouses of ularge banking and importing concern.Î used to irequent trie waterfrontwhere the warehouses were, and at aneaxly age could swim and dive like aporpoise. Of course, my grand ambi¬tion was to be a sailor. Every boy thatlives near a harbor has that ambitionat some period in his life.

"I had arrived at the age of ten be¬fore any thought was taken of my edu¬cation. Of course, I knew the littkthings that my mother had taught nn.my alphabet, and how to read th;stories in a big red and blue picturebook that had been presented to me oran eventful birthday.

''I remember one night as though itwere but yesterday that I was sent tcted early. My father had given me itask to do, and, like many other baclittle boys in the world, I failed to d<it I know that my father thought m<the worst boy in the world, and th<greatest trial that fond parents ev.ihad. (All fathers think that.) Aslay there serving my well earned punishment I heard my parents talkinjabout me. .My father was for apprenticing me to a mechanical engineer whom he knew, but m¡mother insisted that I was to«young to apprentice and that iwas wrong that I should have n<education. The discussion terminate«with me condemned to the Bronzetti Inatitute. I say condemned, as my fatheseemed to think that it was a iittinjpunishment for so bad a boy; bumy mother was very much pleasedThe school W8>: very similar to lot:of other private day schools, andsoon accepted the restraint and discipline as being a matter of course.

Finds Rival at School"There was one boy in the schoo

that I shall never forget. His namwas Peter. Peter and I seemed to b>antagonistic spirits from the start. H<greatly incensed me the first day b;making grimaces and mule ears at meThey soon discovered that I had a gooiboy soprano voice. In thi& I became aiimmediate rival of Peter's; for, to thtime of my arrival, he was the bessinger of the school."At the end of the second year

v- <s presented with a gold medal a! ¿ing the best singer in the schoo'This so enraged my rival, Peter, thabe attacked me viciously with his listsI returned his blows and gave him better than he sent, and before we coulbe separated chianti flowed frorPeter's nose. It must have beer,humorous scene, to see two little boyfighting viciously for the doubtfi,honor, each in his Sunday clothes, before the assembled parents anfaculty. However, sympathy seemed tbe with Peter, for the head master, opresidente, as we called him, repr:manded me severely before everybod;I became greatly enraged then and totoff my gold medal and threw it on thfloor at his feet. Then my father camup and said he would take care of miOn arrival at homo he gave me.pankin-g, and I.vowed then and therewould sing Ho more in the institutAnd I never did."About a year after this event I w*

apprenticed to the mechanical engineeI took little interest in my new worbut showed some aptitude in mechancal drafting and caligraphy. In facit was in this position that I first bcame interested in sketching. Fortime I thought that I would attend tlart schools, and visions of becominggreat artist arose within me. But tlvoice triumphed, and all my spaitime was put in at singing.

His Mother Dies"When 1 was fifteen my ciother die

I had stayed at the mechanical desonly because of her pleadings, so I leimmediately, determined to devote mself permanently to music. My fathwas so incensed at this action thatgreat scene ensued, in which he tome that he was done with me and nmusic and in the future Ï could shifor myself. Whether the poor mithought to drive me back to my aprenticeship or really gave me up asdisgrace to him I have never been ahto determine, but with the stubhorness of his own son I left the house."And now began my wanderings.the course of time they have taken n

to remote corners of the earth; thhave taken me before great persoages; they have given Caruso a hostfriends.not acquaintances, but frienc

"Let me tell you the odd way 1 begimy career as a professional vocalist.bad lodgings in a house close to tChurch of Sant' Anna alia Palu<where the organist himself wassinger. Just to amuse myself I usito sing in my room, and the organiheard me. One day, having contracta serious throat trouble, he sent fme and asked me to sing in his pla<To say I consented is inside the ma»I jumped at the chance. I jumped wimy best energy and enthusiasm, afrait might get »way."The organist taught me tho Litat

and for a long while after that 1 sa;at the Tuesday services, for Tuesdis the day dedicated to St. Anne aiher church is then thronged with wc

»hipers. It was really a tremendojob I had undertaken, since the servielasted practically all day; but I wpaid.paid in real money. How muc

do you imagine? I'll tell you, withoexaggerating. With my hand on n

heart, I do solemnly declare that fevery day's work faithfully performin the Church of Sant' Anna alla Pludi, Enrico Caruso received the daaling »um of one lira.20 cents! Y<actually?"

Began to Stndy SingingHe was shortly afterward advised

study with a teacher named Verginwho recognized at once his pupil's gregift, but carefully refrained from ir

parting his knowledge to Caruso hirself. Caru?> studied with Vergine ffour years under ft contrae* by wb»

Latest Photo of Caruso to Reach U. S.

Picture of the tenor taken on the balcony of his palace at Sorrento, Italy,a few weeks before his death.

¡he agreed to pay his teacher 25 percent of his earnings for five years.After leaving Vergine he obtained

his first engagement at the TeatroNouvo in Naples, appearing in Mo-

'jelli's "Amico Francisco," an operathat had only a short life. But youngCaruso's gifts had become recognized,especially after he had sung Alfredo in"La Traviata."

Vergine, who had been keeping awatchful eye on his old pupil, now be¬gan to demand his share of the profits,and his extortions became so out of allj oaten that Caruse went to law, andafter a legal battle a settlement wasmade whereby he paid Vergine 20,000lire, thereby setthng all future ac¬counts. Shortly after this Caruso w»3drafted for the army.

His Army LifeMany stories are told of the tenor's

military service, especially how heoften obtained from his officers remis¬sion of punishment both for himselfand for others by his sweet singing.His officers took a great interest in hisgift, and it was through them that atthe expiration of hiß service he ob¬tained a position in the opera house atCaserta. After singing in Caserta fora seasion he went; to Genoa, where besang in "Favorita" and "Traviata."But Caruso's first real fame was

made in 1898, in Milan, where he sangin Poncielli's "La Gioconda" and inMassenet's "La Navarraise." So greatwas his success that he was engagedfor La Scala to create the tenor volein tho first Italian production of Mas¬senet's "Sapho." From Milan he wentto Egypt, and from there to Russia,where his success was immediate. Hewas now winning for himself an inter¬national reputation, and he sang suc¬cessively in Paris, Beriin, BuenosAyrca and i'io dc Janeiro.

Gets American EngagementIt is interesting to observe that

when Caruso made his Naples débuthe sang the title role four tinaos, forwhich he received 100 francs, a pair of»tage shoes, a suit of fleshings anda neckerchief. Some years later Mau¬rice Grau, the impresario, negotiatedwith him to sing in America for $700a month, but thought the salary ex¬cessive, and the deal fell through. Mr.Grau was quick to perceive the op¬portunity he had lost and finally en¬gaged Caruso for fifty performances at$1,000 a night. But Mr. Grau becameill and Caruso, when singing- in Lisbon,received word that again he mustabandon his hope of sitiging in Amer¬ica. Heinrich Conried, who followedMr. Grau at the Metropolitan, however,cabled Caruso an offer to cross theAtlantic, and his ambition at last wasrealized.He made his American début at the

Metropolitan Opera House in Verdi's"Rigoletto" November 23,1903, the open¬ing night of the opera season. In thecast were Marcella Sembrich, LouiseHomer and Antonio Scotti. Caruso'ssuccess was in-stantanoous. He washailed by the critics as the possessor ofone of the great voices of the century,and he took his place as the most pop¬ular operatic artist in America.After his great success in America

Caruso sang little elsewhere. The fewtimes that h» did appear in London oron the Continent were always markedby a raise in the price of admission.At one time in Berlin seats were soldfor $40 each.Although no official statement of his

earnings was ever made public, it isknown that Caruso, at the height ofhis Metropolitan career, was receivingan average of $5,000 for each perfor¬mance. On special occasions, such ashis 1920 season in Havana, he was paid$10,000 a night.

Unsparing of His VoiceThe liât of Italian and French operas

in which the noted tenor's name figuressince he first sang in New York revealsan amazing versatility. In sixteen yearshe sang no less than 549 times, and inone season, 1907-'08, he made fifty-oneappearances, a great test of endurancefor any voice. He was unsparing, if notreckless, of his vocal powers. No grandopera tenor in America, from the daysof Brignoli, Campanini, Ravclli, Ta-magno and Jean de Reszke, it is re-corded, ever reigned so long in popularfavor.

It was generally conceded thatCaruso possessed one of the greatestvoices of all time. In its prime it wasat the same time powerful and mellow,of a silken texture that earned it thetitle of the "golden voice." He used it,too, with great skill, and there seemedpractically nothing that he was unableto do with it. He sung at first mostlylyric parts, such as the Duke in "Rigo¬letto," Alfredo in "Traviata" and Ro¬dolfo in "Bohème." In these parts hewas vocally supreme. Gradually, how¬ever, he began to appear in more dra¬matic rôles, such as Rhadames in"Aida" and Canio in "Pagliacci."

Many Operaa in RepertoireHis repertoire in America included

the following: (Italian) "Aida," "Rigo¬letto," "La Bohème," "L'Africaine.""La Favorita," "La Sonnambula," "LaTraviesa," "Les Huguenots," "Fedora,""Adrit'ipe Lecouvreur," "Cavalleria

Rusticana," "Pagliacci," "L'Amore deitre Re," "Un Bailo in Maschera," "Lo-doletta," "Marta," "L'Elisir d'Amore,""Manon Lescaut," "Madama Butterfly,""La Fanciulla del West," "Lucia diLammermoor," "La Gioconda," "IITrovatore," "Don Giovanni," "Ger¬mania," "Iris," "Lucrezia Borgia,""Tosca" and "La F:>rza del Destino";(French) "Les Pécheurs dea Perles,""Armicle," "Faust," "Julien," "LeProphète," "Carmen," "Samson et Da-lila" and "Manon."The famous singer was the guest of

honor at a silver jubilee celebrationon the twenty-fifth anniversary of hisoperatic début, in Nove;mbefl\ 1919, atthe Metropolitan, at which prominentNew Yorkers, including the Mayor andother officials, spoke of his great artis¬tic achievements. He received an il¬luminated parchment from thirty-fivefamilies holding boxes in the "GoldenHorseshoe," a flag from the City ofNew York, several medals and numer¬ous gifts from his fellow artists.

,. Close Friend of RivalRiccardo Martin, the American tenor,

was one of Caruso's closest friends,despite the fact that they sang exactlythe same parts. Martin often saidthat Caruso's personal instruction wasthe most valuable training he had everreceived.

Caruso while a member of the Met¬ropolitan passed through many vicissi¬tudes. He was singing in San Fran¬cisco during the earthquake and loBtthere most of his personal effects.During the season of 1909-10 Caruso

was greatly annoyed by Italian black¬mailers, who sent him threatening let¬ters» He put one of these letters intothe hands of the police, and as a resulttwo Italians were arrested in Brooklynwhile attempting to take a roll ofmarked bills. They were indicted andheld for trial.

In June, 1920, while Caruso was sing¬ing- in "Aida" at the National Theater,Havana, a bomb was exploded in thewashroom of the gallery. It was apowerful explosive and almost wreckedthe building. Neither Caruso nor anymember of the company was hurt, buthundreds cf the audience were injured,chiefly in the panic which ensued afterthe explosion.Caruso was married many years ago

in Italy, to art Italian girl of fine ac¬complishments, who died leaving hima son, Enrico Caruso jr., who is a stu¬dent at the Culver Military Academy,in Indiana. He was married again on

August 21,1918, to Miss Dorothy ParkBenjamin, daughter of Mr. and MrsPark Benjamin, of New York; the cere¬mony taking p! -ce st the Marble Collo-giate Church, on Fifth Avenue. An¬nouncement of this event was a com¬plete surprise not only to the generalpublic, hut also to the numerous friendsof both bride and bridegroom. Thecouple had been acquainted for severalyears and that summer Caruso was fora time the guesr of Mr. and Mrs. ParkBenjamin at their country home atSpring Lake, N. J. A year or more latera daughter was born to them, to whomwas given the name of Gloria.One of the greatest joys of Caruso's

life was his baby daughter, the "rich¬est song baby in the world." He wasnever weary of singöng lullabies to her,which if sung upon the stage wouldhave commanded him fees of thousandsof dollars. Before she was a year oldit was reckoned that he had expendedseveral hundred thousand dollars' worthof vocalization upon her. Moreover,iike both a true artist and a dotingfather, he gave the same attention tothe songs which he sang to her at homethat he did to his most brilliant ariason the Metropolitan stage. In addi¬tion, he exercised for her delectationhis marvelous skill at "making faces"and in drawing comical cartoons.

Had Residence in FlorenceMr. and Mrs. Qaruso resided in New

York City during the opera season.They had a summer home on LongIsland and anothea* residence, Ville allePanche, at Florence, Italy.Early in June, 1020, their home at

Easthampton, L. I,, was entered byburglars, and Mrs. Caruso's jewels,valued at between £400,000 and $500,000,were stolen. Caruso was at that timein Havana, and on hearing of the losscabled to his wife: "Not at all wor¬ried. Will replace jewels at once. Donot think about them again. Do notfret."

Sang for Club Over PhoneOne evening, as he came off the

stag« as Samson, Caruso %'as calledupon in his dressing room ly a youngman in naval uniform, wbj was intro¬duced as Ensign H. i.. Dempsey, ofSan Francisco."As representative of "he Press Clubof San Francisco, of whicit I was for¬merly r-ecretary," said Ensign D> mpsey,"I desire to place in your ha id thissilver plate, er card, which »aakes youan honorary life member c t our or¬ganization, of which we ¿re veryproud.""And wau this honor? What have I

ever dono lor the San Francisco PressClub?""WbjRf replied Ensign Dempsey,

"have you forgotten that three yearsago, on the occasion of the tenth an¬nual entertainment of our Press Clubafter the fire (which you personally re¬

member), you did us the honor to singus a song all the way from Atlantaover the long distance telephone? Itwas a memorable event, and for threeyears we have been trying to catch youto givo you this testimonial of ourappreciation."

In the great war Caruso was intense¬ly interested, from both the Kalian andthe American points of view. He oftensang for patriotic causes, and let him¬self bo filmed for the movies for thebenefit of the Red Cross. At thenotable meeting at tho MetropolitanOpera House shortly after the war, atwhich President Wilson and ex-Presi-dent Taft spoke for the League of Na¬tions, ho electrified the audience bysinging "The. Star-Spungled Banner."He was, of course, dcoply interested inGabriele d'Annunzio'a proceedings atFiume. and sent to him a lnrge sum ofmoney to aid him in his occupation ofthat city. He said that he did not knowanything about the political issues in¬volved, but he believed that Fiumerightfully belonged to Italy, and forthat reason he supported the poet.

Cites Padercwski's Fate"This is merely a personal matter,"

said th«i singer. "I myself do not mixin politics. I do not believe that anyartist should enter tha political field,unless he is willing to lose his art.Look what it has done to Paderewski."Dey jite his long experience and his

brilliant preeminence on the operaticstage, Caruso only a year ago declaredthat he often suffered from stage

fright, and was intensely nervous be¬fore und durin" each performance."Each timo I sing I feel as if th*!re

were some one waiting to seizo my po¬sition from itiB, to destroy Caruso," he..aid. "And I must fight, figut like abull, to hold my own." He remarkedthat frequently he is "scai*ed to death"on arriving at the opera and feelingthat his voice is not within him. Hegave as an instance a performanceof "La Juive," in Brooklyn. "But themoment I appeared on the stage andbeheld the audience, among them Bond,I realized that I hud to sing, and thornwas no other way out of it," he said."And then a miracle happened. Someone. some unseen power, seemed to un¬lock the compartment within me thatholds my voice, and I sang. I sangwith all the voice and power withinme. You see, we artists must struggledesperately to get to the top, and whenonce there we must hold on. hold onwith all the strength we havt\ For,once we slip, the journey down is steepand fast. I frequently feel unable tosing until I arrive in my dressing roomand put on my clothes. Once in theproper atmosphere my voice appears,and then it's up to me to make thomost of it."Caruso had a repertoiro of seventy-

five rôles, but he denied that he re¬garded any one as his favorite.

"I have no choice," he said. "It isthe public that creates the favoriterôles of Caruso. The singer thatfavors one over another is not a singerbut a specialist. The singer who is anartist must be able to sing a role offifteen measures with the same earn¬estness and enthusiasm with which hetings a difficult and extensive one."

Illness He Suffered Here RegardedAs Cured FullyBefore Caruso Sailed

Caruso's voice was heard in publicfor the last time on last ChristmasEve. Eleven days after the burstingof a blood vessel in his throat whilesinging "L'Elisir d'Amore," at theAcademy of Music in Brooklyn, he wasbilled for the same opera again at theMetropolitan. But the announcementcame that he had a cold and wouldnot sing.He was expected on the stage the

following evening in "La Juive." Dur¬ing the day the news came that Carusowas ill in bed with intercostal neural¬gia, and another postponement was an¬

nounced. With Christmas only one

day off and the holiday spirit risinghigh, Caruso insisted on appearing in"La Juive" on the evening of the24th. His singing of Eleazar broughtforth an ovation that only Carusocould receive from a Metropolitan au¬dience, and his voice had all of theusual ringing, golden qualities.

Begins With Sharp PainAfter the performance Caruso went

to a Christmas tree party for hisdaughter Gloria. On Christmas Day,soon after 1 o'clock in the afternoon,the final and, as it proved, fatal ill¬ness began. Caruso was taken with asharp pain in his side. He went tobed, and five doctors and two nurseswere hurriedly summoned. They foundthat he was suffering from pleurisy,and although the physicians said thetenor would be confined to his room"for a period" there wus a deepeningoí the uneasiness that had been grow¬ing as his stage accidents and seizureshad followed one after another,A brief announcement was made

from the Hotel Vanderbilt on Decem¬ber 29 that there had been an opera¬tion. Caruso had developed suppura-tive pleurisy, the doctors said, and ithad been necessary to drain the cavity.A second bulletin, the day following,told of another drainage and addedthat empyema had set in.From New Year's Day until the mid¬

dle of February bulletins from thesickroom reported that Caruso washolding out well.When it seemed that the tenor must

certainly be well on the road to con¬valescence there was the sudden an¬nouncement of a serious relapse. Con¬stant suppuration had weakened theheart. The tanks of oxygen that hadbeen in readiness ever since Decem¬ber were put to use and Caruto rallied.

Lobby Always AnxiousFor weeks afterward the lobby of the

Vanderbilt was crowded daily withanxious inquirers after the tenor's con¬dition. The five doctors were in con¬stant attendance and two or three bul¬letins were issued daily. Enricojunior, at the Culver Military Academyin Indiana, was sent for and Cwuso'sbrother, Giovanni, sailed for New Yorkfrom Italy.

In March there was a third opera¬tion to drain the pleural cavity. Carusorested comfortably afterward, and asteady improvement began until hewas able to sit up by a window andthen take an automobile ride. liewent to Atlantic City and on May 28was strong enough to sail for hisvilla in Italy. An immense throngbade him farewell.Although opinions differed among

medical men an to whether the greattenor would ¡sing again, Caruso andthe Metropolitan Opera House forceinsisted that he would. He tried hisvoice occasionally, and even hummedover a hundred or more songs. Hedenied that his voice was (,one andcabled to America with characteristicwhimsicality his thanks "for the .freeads." ,

At the beginning of July it was ru¬mored that Caruso's recovery was notprogressing well and that

'

the old,marvelous voice was impaired. Never¬theless, he was singing a little bitevery day, had not lost confidence andwas living quietly near Naples. Hefully expected to rejoin the Metropoli¬tan company in the autumn.Last Sunday the newspapers here

carried photographs of the tenor ingolf coat and flannels, looking well andhappy, and with traces of his ownfamiliar smile about his face.

"It's Hard to Believe""It's hard to believe," was the gen¬

eral comment in New York, when thecable flashed the news of his death.Enrico Caruso, with the velvet voice

that the alchemy of time transmutedinto gold with the passing years, wasa familiar and loved figure alongBroadway. lie lived at the HotelKnickerbocker season after season, andwhen the doors there were closed andthe picture of Old King Cole takendown from the wall he moved to theHotel Vanderbilt.No other singer in the world ever

achieved the fame that came to him.His singing and his occasional appear¬ances in motion pictures brought himan income of $500,000 a year. Hisvoice was equal to any demand, fromthe heaviest opera rôles to "Macushla"and simple Italian ballads. His operacontract brought him $5,000 for everyperformance and a phonograph com¬pany paid him $125,000 a year. Hewas paid $7,000 for an appearance inBuenos Ayres.Having refused to sing in concert

for twelve years or more, Caruso con¬

sented in 1917 to appear in auditoriumsin Cincinnati, Toledo and Pittsburgh.He enjoyed a triumphal tour. He wasmet at railroad stations by bands, lead¬ing citizens and police escorts. He en¬joyed the experience so much that euchyear thereafter he reserved a certainperiod during which he took his smileand his voice on the road. A concertin Monareal, where the élite in eveningattire sat on pino board benches andrested their feet on a sawdust coveredfloor in the hockey rink, brought in$28,700.

Soemed Fully RecoveredDr. Antonio Stella, who attended

Caruso during his last illness here,said yesterday that the news came as a

great shock. He had received a letteron July 14 in which Caruso said thathe was gaining flesh steadily end was

walking a mile every day.A week before Caruso sailed, Dr.

Stella said, he was examined by bisphysicians, who decided that the tenor'srecovery had been complete and thai.he was able to stand the voyage. Theimmediate cause of death, a sub-phrenic abscess, Dr. Stella said, \va:¡ an

ailment different from the one thatafflicted Caruso last winter. The ex¬

amining physicians were Dr. John F.F.rdmun, Dr. HumuH W. Lambert, Dr.Evan Evans, Dr. Francis Murray andDr. Stella.

Back Stage al the Metropolitan, It IsCaruso the Man Who Will Be Missed

While the world mourns the loss ofCaruso of the golden voice the entirepersonnel of the Metropolitan OperaCompany, from the most prominent ofthe directors to the least of the work¬men, sorrows for the loss of Carusothe man.

It is the season of the year whennearly all the well known persons con¬

nected with the opera company are outof town. Mr. Gatti-Cosazza, Otto H.Kahn, William Guard and many of thesingers are in Europe. Box holdere,the occupants in the musical season ofthe diamond horseshoe, are at theirsummer homes. Other singers are inSouth America and in Chicago forsummer engagements, or resting attheir summer residences.

But the great opera house is not de¬serted, and yesterday the news of thegreat tenor's death swept the ranks ofthose who are here, leaving every manand woman suffering the feeling ofgreat personal loss. Those at workat the Metropolitan Opera House art!for the greater part the humbler oneswho go to make up the regiment ofworkers connected with the greut operacompany. Clerical work has to bedone in the summer, renovation andcleaning in the greut house itself andwork on materials, properties andscene painting und set making.

Back Stage Will Miss HimEdward Siedle, technical director of

the Metropolitan Opera Company, whohas been there for thirty years, was incommand of a crew of these workmenthore yesterday, Mr. Siedle discussedthe great tenor with feeiing unü sor¬row in his tones."To us who were part of the organ¬ization in which he was a star he was

the embodiment of kindliness, goodhumor and friendliness," said Mr.Siedle. "I speak for the people whowork behind the scenes, the electri¬cians, the scene shifters, stage hands,property men, costumers and doormen.His personality was so genial. He wasgenerosity itself. Even the least ofthe workmen felt his kindliness. Ashe passed each one there was always asalutation.r^o commonness, no loss ofpersonal dignity.just friendly good

fellowship. With all his good humorCaruso had a natural dignity, and howas resnect-äd and loved by all thosewho saw him back stage.

Unalloyed Generosity"No ora ever came to Caruso in

want and went away empty-handed,Here he was a veritable Santa Clausto all the working force. On ("mi t-

mas he remembered every one, and hismanner of remembering o;>ch_ was en¬

hanced by the De**«onal ki. ;linc*s ac-

comnanying ail 1. '.I could tell youincidents withou umber of ciaseswhere Caruso etepptJ into the breachund helped needy persons."The passing kindness to a wigmaker

one night comes to my mind. Carusowas in his dressing room and the wig-maker was in there on nome work.Caruso pulled a roll of bills out of hispocket and threw it on a table whilelie was changing his clothes. The wig-maker sighed and said: '1 wish I hadone of those-.' Expressing a wisharound Caruso had its effects.".What would you do with it?' he

asked."'Well,' replied the wigmaker, 'I

would take my wife for a trip to seeher mother.'

'. 'Here's one,' said Caruso, and bepeeled a $500 note from the roll andgave it to the wigmaker."That's just one of many, many sim¬

ilar incidents."When he was waiting to go on

Caruso's favorite pastime was to take apencil and paper and make carica¬tures of any one who was about. Thesehe would .-ign and give to the personhe had pictured. Many of us havethese souvenirs.

"In all the years he was here I canremember no unpleasant incident forwhich he was responsible. Certainlyhis glorious voice could not have beenintrusted to h man more worthy ofcaring for and using it. He was ser:-ou8 in his work and generous in hi«treatment of those working with him.It is needless to try to tell vou theloss we feel and. as I said, I speak forthe workers behind the curtain."

Always DemocraticFrank Carlichs, treasurer of theMetropolitan Opera Company, was oneof the few officers in the opera houseyesterday. Edward Ziegler, who ha;1been in charge while Mr. Gatti-Casazza

I CarusoWhere the twilight is dwp by i lie last land;/ hill,No warrior sleeps where the lésé mourners- throng ;

No warrior ..¡[reps where the world's voice is stillHut one from ike silence who Game with a song.

The dawn winds are hushed, for their masicrr has left;The streams that arc singing tlieir way to th" sea

Ave soundless and shadowed, as singers bererftOf the lost chord of morning, uncouquerjed avid fref.

He came with a song. Is there more to be saidFor any who sleep whsre the last flag is fziried?The twilight ha,§ called him, the gray soul has- sped.But its melody waits in Hue heart of ihr worid.

c;h AKTi.ANn mr.v.

11 ,1

was in Italy this summer, sailed forEurope lust week.

"Caruso's death is a loss to thewhole world," said Mr. Garlich s.

"Kings, statesmen, authors and greatmen in other lines could not mean anymore to the world at large than he has,and few if any of them have beenbetter loved. He has sung in manycovniries, and the records of his voicehavo gone around the world. Peopleof every country love him, and he hasgiven them a marvelous gift in hismusic."The greatest tenor of his time, pud

to me. the greatest tenor of any time,he hud everything ir» his marvelousvoice. Here, as every one knows, hewas our greatest drawing card. OnCaruso nights we always sold out. 1believe his most popular rôles were in'Piigliacci' and 'Aída.' Caruso in'Aidiv' was always a nipht of enthusi¬asm and a crowded house."His association wlih those who

worked beside him brought, out the realcharacter of the man, his kindliness, hishumor and his charm. Live most bigpeople, he was a real democrat, and al¬though he jnight have been feted bythe greatest he liked the genuine asso¬ciations and companionship of hi?,friends, whetber they were well knownor in humbler walks of life."

Order of Sons of ItalyPlans Memorial fo? TenorJohn McCormack, the Irish tenor, re¬

ceived word of Enrico Caruso's deaththrough a friend in New Yor*k at hissummer home in Darien, Conn. Thetwo tenors have been warm, friendsfor several years. Mr. McCormacksaid yesterday:

"I am stunned by this news. It isone of the most awful things that ever

happened. And it comes so unexpect¬edly that I can scarcely comprehendit. Why, only a day or two before besailed I received a telegram from Crfc-ruso full of hope and looking .forwardto his return in the fall. I c;\n't re¬alize his death and can't bear to thinkof it."Another of Caruso's personal friiends,

Bruno Zirato, his secretary and right-hand man, collapsed yesterday morn¬ing at hearing the news that Carusowas dead. Mr. Zirato lives at the Van-derbilt Hotel, where Caruso had anapartment.Antonio Scotti, barytone of the Met- i

ropolitan Opera Company, is anotherof Caruso's friends who is in town,The duets of Scotti and Caruso havebeen among the most popular featuresin the musical world. The famoustenor's death came as a great shockto his friend and brother singer."The death of Caruso ends one of'

the most brilliant careers in musicalhistory," said Amelita Galli-Curci, whosang with Carneo In South America in {1915. "All the world will rememberhim, not alone for his glorious voiceand untiring devotion to art, but forhis human qualities, his generous heart'and his heroic straggle in his lastlong illness."

"Jt seems a great pity that hecouldn't have been spared to comeback for a last triumph," said Géral¬dine Parrar yesterday. "I am shockedbeyond words."Musicians and thousands of admirers

of th» groat tenor have expressed theirsorrow at learning of Caruso's death.The Lotos Club cabled a message ofcondolence to Mrs. Caruso. Mr. Carusowas not a member of the Lotos Club,

but was well known and popula}- amonits members.A special meeting of the Suprom

Council of th( Orç.er of tho Sons o

Italy was called for to-morrow eveningto make plans for a national memoriato Caruso. Stephano Miele, nationsmaster of the order, said that the memorial to be proposed might take thform of a Caruso foundation for thtraining of promising young singers, o

of a Carjso theater, for the productio:of Italian opera.

"Enrico Caruso did more for thItaüíui race in this country than an;single individual," paid Mr. Miele, "unithe loss will strike deep into the heartof all Italians and Americans of Italiaibirth or descent, as well as all lover:of the purest of aits, no matter whatheir nationalities.*'A cablegram of'Sympathy was sen

to Mrs. Caruso. It told her of th<intention to establish the foundation."Accept deepest sympathy of th<

Order of the Sons otf Italy for the grealloss which you and the world have suf¬fered," the message read. "Our greatest hope is that the memory of youiillustrious artist-husband »."ill live on

To perpetuate his me*aory it is ojiipurposoi to establish a memorial in hi;

name." «. JL i. iAt a special meeting of the board

of directors of the Italian MusicalLeague, held last night at 128 WestForty-ninth Street, the league voted tc

present to the Metropolitan Op°raCompany a bronze bust of Caruso.The world famous tenor was the honor¬ary president of the Italian MusicalLeague. The bust is to be executed byOnoria Ruotolo and will be unveiledin the Metropolitan Opera House on

the opening night of the coming operaseason.

Caruso Jr. Hears 'ISetrsOn His Way to Pageant

CULVER, Ind., Aug. 2..Enrico Ca¬ruso jr., son of the famous tenor, was

on his way to Chicago, when informedof his father's death this morning.Young Caruso, who is a student at Cul¬ver Military Academy, left here earlywith a committee from the academyin charge of an exhibit the school ispresenting at the Pageant of Progressbeing held in Chicago.He received the message at Plymouth,

Ind., whexe he immediately left theparty and started back to Culver.He said he had had no intimation

that his father's condition was seri¬ous. He had recently received a photo¬graph, he said, whiph indicated thathis father was in good health. Theyoung man will remain here awaitingword from his mother.

Caruso in San FranciscoSaved Gift From 'Quake-

Golden Gate Recalls His Pa-jama-Clad Figure, W'ith thePicture of McKinley in Arms

Sperinl DisnaJch '.. The TribuSAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 2.. En¬

rico Caruso was a guest at the oldPalace Hotel at the time earthquakeand flames destroyed part of this cityin 1906. He was the principal singerof a company especially organized topermit San Francisco to enjoy themusic that New York has annuallyThe earth rocked early in the morn¬

ing. In the terror caused by thequake thousands immediately became"

Turf Shotm ¡ils RespectFor Memory c. Lamso

WINDSOR, Ont., Au( %. s. »:,..bred named for fcnrico Caimaupon which horse tlin making moianima! wwas ent< ..

turf parlance v.ing."As soon as 1

of the horse, learned or' the tenor'»death he canee : ¡j..^and withdrew thhe announce'

respect to the memory of the Btnnihe would make :name of the horseretire him un'!'

Death of Tenor InspiresSympathy in Mexico CityMexico ¦::ty. Aug. 2. ^editions of the afternoon papers wer«hed, telling of the death ofjo. Great sympathy v.-af express?^here, where I wo j ei famoustenor gave a series 0 perfora*anccs.Many messages of condolence wer«at once dispatched to Naples by themembers of the foreign colony, whoseguest Caruso was ;: thi

visit.

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