Enrico Caruso

Enrico Caruso (1873–1921) was the rockstar of opera long before the term existed. Born in Naples, Italy, this legendary tenor’s golden voice conquered stages from Milan’s La Scala to New York’s Metropolitan Opera, where he became a fixture for 17 seasons. Known for his rich, emotive tone and larger-than-life charisma, Caruso brought operatic heroes like Canio from *Pagliacci* and Rodolfo from *La Bohème* to vivid life. His secret weapon? Being one of the first major artists to fully embrace recording technology—his 1902–1904 Milan sessions, reissued in collections like *Opera Arias and Melodies*, made him a global sensation on scratchy gramophone records.

Caruso’s voice had a warmth that cut through early audio tech’s limitations, turning arias into crossover hits and earning him the nickname “The Voice of the Century.” Even a century later, compilations like *The Legendary Caruso* keep his legacy alive, proving that a great high C (and some serious Italian flair) never goes out of style. Dude basically invented “opera for the people” while rocking some truly epic mustaches.

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