When it comes to opera singers, Enrico Caruso is definitely worth mentioning.
The famous tenor of all times and eras, the owner of a velvety baritone voice, owned a unique vocal technique of transition to a note of a certain height during the performance of the party.
No wonder the famous Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, hearing the voice of Enrico for the first time, called him "the messenger of God."
10 years before his death, the performer of opera compositions was recognized as the “king of tenors”. And the era in which the singer lived was proudly called "Karuzov's".
So who is this "phenomenon" in terms of power and timbre? Why is he called the great among the great and put on a par with the legends of the opera stage Ruffo and Chaliapin? Why are his musical works still popular?
Difficult childhood of Enrico Caruso
The owner of a brilliant vocal talent was born in Italy on the outskirts of sunny Naples on February 25, 1873 in an industrial area. The parents of the future celebrity lived very poorly.
At a young age, the boy was sent to school, where he received only a primary education, learning the basics of technical drawing and learning the basics of writing and counting.
The singer's father (a mechanic by profession) dreamed that his son would follow in his footsteps. As soon as Caruso was 11 years old, he was sent to study with a familiar engineer. However, Enrico was not interested in design and construction. He liked to sing in the church choir.
When the young man was 15 years old, his mother died of cholera. Life has become even harder financially. To survive, the young man decided to help his father.
Leaving his studies, Enrico got a job in the workshop, but he did not stop singing in the temple. The parishioners admired the incredible voice of the young man. He was invited to sing serenades for his beloved, generously paying for the services.
Inspired by public opinion, Caruso went out to perform solo arias on the street. Such an occupation brought a small but stable income to the family.
Fateful meeting with Guglielmo Vergine
It is not known how much one would have to perform in public street "concerts", performing Neapolitan folk songs and ballads, if one day during such a performance a talented young performer was not noticed by one of the teachers of the vocal school, Guglielmo Vergine.
It was he who persuaded the boy's father (Marcello Caruso) to send his son to a music school. Marcello did not really count on success, but nevertheless agreed.
Soon, Vergine introduced the gifted young man to the influential opera singer Masini. The outstanding tenor highly appreciated the student's abilities, noting that one must be able to use the natural gift.
The thirst to break out of poverty and the desire to become famous did their job. Caruso worked hard throughout his life and worked hard on himself, thanks to which he received universal recognition not only at home, but also far beyond its borders.
The main stages of the creative career of Enrico Caruso
The starting point, the "finest hour" in conquering the stage was the performance of the part of Enzo in the opera La Gioconda in 1897 in Palermo. However, the triumphal ascent ended in no less striking failure.
Excessive arrogance or unwillingness to part with money to pay for the services of clackers led to the fact that the public did not appreciate the performance.
Enrico, disappointed in the Neapolitan audience, went on a tour of other countries and cities of Italy. The first destination was distant and unknown Russia. It was foreign performances that glorified the singer.
In 1900 he returned to his small homeland. As a famous performer of opera parts, he already performed on stage at the legendary La Scala.
Soon Caruso went on tour again. He gave concerts in London, Berlin, Hamburg and other European cities.
But his magical voice made a real splash on American lovers of the opera genre. Having sung for the first time at the Metropolitan Opera (New York) in 1903, the performer became the main soloist of the theater for almost 20 years. The singer's illness and sudden death prevented him from continuing his dizzying career.
The most famous arias and songs performed by Enrico Caruso:
- "Love Potion" - Nemorino.
- "Rigoletto" - The Duke.
- "Carmen" - Jose.
- "Aida" - Radames.
- Pagliacci - Canio.
- The Sole Mio.
Facts from personal life
Caruso enjoyed success with the opposite sex. The singer's first serious relationship was with the Italian opera diva Ada Giachetti. However, young people did not formalize the relationship, having lived for 11 years in a civil marriage.
Ada gave birth to her husband four children, two of whom died at an early age. The couple broke up at the initiative of the wife, who ran away from her former lover with a new chosen one - a driver.
It is known that Enrico Caruso was officially married once. His wife was the daughter of an American millionaire Dorothy Park Benjamin, who was with him until his death.
The famous tenor died at the age of 48 from purulent pleurisy (August 2, 1921). About 80 thousand people came to say goodbye to their favorite opera singer.
The embalmed body was kept in a glass sarcophagus in a cemetery in Naples. Only a few years later the deceased was buried in a stone tomb.
Interesting information from the biography of the singer
- In memory of her late husband, Dorothy published 2 books dedicated to the life of a talented and beloved husband.
- Caruso is the first opera singer who recorded arias in his performance on a gramophone record.
- As one of the most sought-after artists, Enrico is also known as a collector of antiques, old coins and stamps.
- The singer drew caricatures and caricatures well, played several musical instruments, composed his own works (“Serenade”, “Sweet Torments”).
- After the death of the famous tenor, a huge candle was made worth over $3500 (a huge amount in those days). It could only be lit once a year in front of the face of the Madonna in the American church of St. Pompey.
A natural gift, an original manner of performing lyrical and dramatic opera parts, willpower and diligence allowed Enrico Caruso to achieve his goals and deserve universal recognition.
Today, the name Caruso has become a household name. This is how they call real talents, owners of exceptional vocal abilities. Comparison with one of the greatest tenors of all eras is the highest honor for a performer.
