Signed Postcard Photograph of Enrico Caruso in Costume as Manrico in Verdi’s “Il Trovatore”, Circa 1908

Enrico Caruso, an Italian opera singer, was one of the greatest tenors in history. Caruso was also the most popular singer in any genre in the first two decades of the 20th Century and one of the most important pioneers of recorded music. Caruso’s popular recordings and his extraordinary voice, known for its mature power, beauty and unequalled richness of tone, made him perhaps the best-known operatic star of his era. Such was his influence on singing style, many subsequent tenors have been his heirs. During his career, Caruso made over 260 recordings and made millions of dollars from the sale of his 78 rpm records. While Caruso sang at many of the world’s great opera houses including La Scala in Milan and Covent Garden in London, he is best known as the leading tenor at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City for 17 years.

“Il Trovatore”, by legendary opera composer Giuseppe Verdi, first premiered on January 19, 1853, and has been a major operatic staple since. The work is so lush with melody that all of the world’s greatest singers have attempted one of the major roles that are the foundation of the work. “Il Trovatore” has also drawn much attention for its quick-fire libretto that jumps quickly through time, much of the major drama taking place off-stage.

Caruso played Manrico in performances of “Il Trovatore”, and a famous photograph shows Caruso in that role, circa 1908. This is that very photograph, signed boldly by Caruso. It is our first signed photograph of Caruso dressed for one of his great roles in 17 years.