CARUSO: The Man of Naples and the Voice of Gold

All those adorers of the Great Caruso will delight in this lively, warm account of Enrico's days on earth. Here, as in life, his career comes foremost, but the bright wash of anecdotes and facts of personality and situation which characterized this most divine of singers and most human of men brings humor and sadness to his story. From the streets of Naples to the stages of Milan and New York was a long pull of work and living. There were the days of singing for his supper literally, the studies with Vergine and others, the release from the army so that he could sing. At Livorno he sang the Rudolfo which Puccini had taught him and embarked on his long romance with Ada Giachetti, his Mimi, which ended over a decade later with the sordid court scene and which deepened his interpretation of Canio. At Milan he first encountered Toscanini and Gatti-Casazza, with whom he worked both at La Scala and later the Met. With his years at the Met and with wealth, he married the devoted Dorothy, did his Christmas shopping at Tiffany's and an antique shop, dressed with a flashy flair, created kindly caricatures, supported the people back home who had helped him on his way. ""Lo strumento"" had carried him far, but to Italy he returned when tragedy struck. With records and movie within easy recollection, with its attracting elements of drama and humor, this may well hit the heights.