[Enrico Caruso, 1873-1921, In "Girl of the Golden West",...

Enrico was the 3rd of 7 children, born in Naples Italy. His father Marcellino was a mechanic and foundry worker and altho Enrico worked with his father for a time, his amazing voice led him in another direction - to become one of the most famous operatic tenors of all time. Although Enrico's mother died in 1888, she was an early supporter of his singing career. He sang in his church choir and found work as a street singer as well as performing in cafes and soirees. After serving 45 days in the military (it was compulsory), he resumed his singing lessons and at the age of 22 made his professional stage debut at the Teatro Nuovo in Naples. After a lot of work and many small engagements, Caruso began his famed career, performing throughout Europe and the United States. He married Dorothy Park Benjamin in 1918 and they had one daughter but previous to that marriage he had a long-term affair with (married) to Italian soprano Ada Giachetti and they had 4 sons, 2 of which survived infancy. Even though he died at the relatively young age of 48, the name Enrico Caruso is celebrated over 100 years later in the world of opera.