Etchings By Enrico Caruso Exhibit
March 16 through April 30, 2023
Noted Etchings By Enrico Caruso
The Elliott Museum will unveil a collection of original prints from hand carved lithograph designs created by the legendary opera tenor Enrico Caruso (1873-1921).
Framed and rolled prints will be available for purchase.
Enrico Caruso, First Vocal Artist to Sell More Than A Million Records
World renown Metropolitan opera tenor Enrico Caruso was the first vocal artist to sell more than a million records. His success came with the debut at La Scala on December 26, 1896, in the part of Rodolfo in Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème with Arturo Toscanini conducting; but his peak started in 1903 when he performed in the U.S. Sold out theatres made him an “idol” and a rich man. He commissioned Tiffany & Co. to produce a 24-carat gold medal with his profile, which he would hand out to his closest friends. In 1920, Caruso went to the Hudson Corporation, a premier manufacturer of deluxe automobiles, to contract them build an ultra-luxurious touring limousine to his personal specifications; the original price of the car was $3,925.00. During the brief period before his untimely death in 1921, Caruso traveled to his performance engagements throughout the country in the opulence of his Hudson Limousine. This treasured automobile was donated to the Elliott Museum in 2004 by the Hudson Foundation and is now on display as a jewel of the museum’s permanent collection.
In his early years, Enrico attended school until he was 10 years old, where he received basic education and learned how to sketch. His talent in the visual arts was something that would become one his beloved hobbies throughout his short life.
The Elliott is proud to share this little known facet of Caruso’s remarkable talent through this unique exhibit of his rarely seen etchings.