‘The Great Caruso' or ‘King of Tenors' was born in Naples
in 1873. He was his parents' 18th
child and the first to survive infancy. Music was his escape from
the wretched reality that surrounded
him. He sang in Neapolitan cafes
and restaurants. By 1895 he was singing leading
roles at the Opera House in Naples. From there
he went to the major Italian opera
houses and then became an international star. ‘Who has sent
you to me? God?' exclaimed Puccini on
first hearing him sing.
Caruso's mouth cavity was huge and round and he could close his mouth over a large egg without breaking it - this may account for his amazingly
rich, full tone. To his vocal control and refinement he added passion. Caruso poured emotion into his singing. He sang not only opera but popular
Neapolitan songs and ballads.
He was an incorrigible practical joker, even on stage. When singing the aria ‘Your tiny hand is frozen' to Melba, he slipped a hot sausage into her hand.
Through his recordings, Caruso was the first opera singer to win a mass audience. People who had never seen an opera owned his records… His recording
of Canio's aria from Pagliacci was the first million-seller. The gramophone ensured his immortality. For the first time, posterity
could enjoy and judge a singer from another era. Equally the success of his records helped establish recording as a commercial proposition and pave
the way for mass home entertainment.
Caruso made over a million dollars in his lifetime but died tragically
early, aged only 48, of pleurisy.
Asked was made a great singer he said: ‘a
big chest, a big mouth, ninety per cent memory,
ten per cent intelligence, lots of
hard work and something in the heart'.
Introduction
