By contrast, he performed in Carmen at San Francisco only once. He sang Rhadames in Aida, which he introduced at the Met, a total of 64 times. Intensely superstitious, he would not start trips on Tuesdays or Fridays. On the practical side, remembering his early poverty, he maintained complete books on everyday expenses, and solemnly entered the cost of his marriage to Dorothy Benjamin in 1918 at $50. An extremely talented caricaturist, he frequently did sketches of fellow performers in costume. Continually, he evaluated his performance, writing comments such as 'great ovation' and 'ultimo' on the pay vouchers he received later. He understood 7 languages, and sang in 4.

In his 18 years at the Met, Caruso appeared in 36 roles. In another Boheme performance, his comrades across the footlights were treated to the sight of Marcello struggling unsuccessfully to put on his overcoat before going out to buy medicine for a dying Mimi-the fun-loving Caruso had sewed the sleeves closed before the performance. your lovely eyes have robbed me of my jewels.' Then he stopped, turned to the audience, and gave an expressive Italian shrug, with outspread hands, that brought down the house. In singing 'Rodolpho's Narrative' to Mimi, he rendered the line, '. Caruso achieved even greater rapport with the public that same August, due to a La Boheme performance. Hearing that his home had been robbed of nearly $500,000 in jewelry while he was singing in Cuba in August of 1920, his only concern was that his wife and child had not been hurt. The more money he earned the less it mattered for him. To those without the admission price, he passed out complimentary tickets by the thousands-and scrupulously paid for every one, a bill which often came to over $9,000 per season. About the famous Italian tenor opera singer Enrico Caruso, his history and biography.Ĭaruso's success came partially from the warm affection he maintained for his fans.

Caruso opera singer