The story of a great singer
A programme of gramophone records, arranged by Ivor Morgan
This gramophone recital is intended to illustrate,by means of recordsand a spoken commentary, the life and art of Enrico Caruso (1873-1921). one of the greatest tenors of all time. He made his debut in Fautt at the Bellini Theatre, Naples, in 1894. His first real successes were in 1902, when he sang at Monte Carlo with Melba in Puccini's La Boheme and then came to Covent Garden and sang the part of the Duke in Verdi's Rigoletto. The late S.H. Pardon has said that 'In its combination of power and sweetness Caruso's voice has not been approached in our time. Moreover, the singer made the most of nature's abundant gifts. His breath control was so complete that he could deliver the longest phrase without any suggestion of being at the end of his resources'.