Biography
Enrico Caruso (1873 - 1921) was an Italian tenor, the most important artist of his time, in the world of lyric art. He was born in Naples on February 25, 1873, the third of seven children and one of three to survive infancy. Enrico's father was an engineer who worked in a foundry, he believed that his son would follow the same profession and at the age of 11, he apprenticed him to an engineer who built public water fountains. His mother insisted that he go to school and he received basic education for a year from the local priest. During this time he sang in the church choir and his voice stood out, prompting him to consider a career in music. His mother who encouraged him to have musical aspirations died in 1888.Enrico, to increase his family's income, found work as a street singer in Naples and performed in cafes and music nights. In 1894 he made his first appearance as a tenor at the "Teatro Nuovo" in Naples with Mario Morelli's now forgotten work "L' amico Francesco". He sang for the first time at La Scala in Milan in 1900, in "La Bohème" by Giacomo Puccini. International recognition came in the spring of 1902 when he sang in Monte Carlo "La Bohème" and in Coven Garden, London in "Rigoletto" by Giuseppe Verdi. In America he made his debut with "Rigoletto" on the opening night of the Metropolitan Opera of New York in 1903 and for the next 17 years he will be its leading tenor, performing a total of 36 roles. In addition to his regular duties in New York, Caruso gave recitals and performances around the world, singing at venues such as La Scala in Milan, London's Royal Opera House and Covent Garden, St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theater and the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires. He was the first artist to have his voice recorded on a gramophone record, in a hotel room in Milan he recorded ten arias on March 18, 1902. From 1902 to 1920 he made about 290 recordings.
In his 25-year career, Caruso was one of the most famous figures of his time. He was also known to millions of people through newspapers, magazines and radio, having been heard live in 1910 during the first radio broadcast of opera in the United States. He was also featured in two movies, while with the astronomical sums he earned he also did a lot of charity work, it was estimated that when he died close to 200 people were living with the aids he gave them. Enrico Caruso married twice and had 5 children, from 1909 he had several health problems, often suffering from bronchitis, laryngitis and severe migraines. He finally died in Naples on August 2, 1921.