[Paisan]

But I also love Caruso !

My grandfather went to many Caruso performances. He told me that he could feel the vibrations of Caruso’s powerful voice through the armrests of his seat.

He also told me that he was at one of Caruso’s final performances, when blood came forth from his mouth, and the audience was screaming and pleading for him to stop.

How can one ignore La Voce, when you hear such tales, as a child...

[nopardons]

Oh I know what you mean. My Great Aunt was Caruso's "special" secretary ( she was in charge of selecting Christmas cards and cards for other occasions and sending them out for him ), so I grew up hearing many stories about Caruso and listening to his records.

I have many of my grandparents' records...Caruso, Gigli, Chaliapin, and others. Sadly, they won't play on modern record players, so I haven't heard them for many decades.

My parents lived a floor below Renata Tebaldi and you could hear her practicing in the guest bathroom. The first time I heard her, I was freaked out; it was truly weird.