DESCRIPTION:
Enrico Caruso's son, ENRICO CARUSO JUNIOR (1904-1987), sings "Questa O Quella" from Verdi's Rigoletto.

NOTE #1: I just noticed the typo in the aria line on the placard. Should be "o" and not "of."

2nd NOTE: The sound on this clip leaves much to be desired, but it's the best version that that I was able to find. It's from a 50+-year-old 78rpm acetate.

3rd NOTE: Enrico, Jr. knew fully well that he did not possess his father's voice, so it would be unfair to draw comparisons between the two--even though the natural inclination is to do so!

The great Caruso (1873-1921) sired 4 sons, 2 died in infancy and 2 lived to maturity--Rodolfo, born in 1898, and Enrico Caruso, Jr., born 1904.

Caruso, the elder, had a 10-year affair with operatic soprano Ada Giachetti, who abandoned the great tenor and his two sons in 1908.

The lads were denied few material advantages and were among his legal heirs.

When Caruso married in 1918, Enrico, Jr. came to live with his new family in the U.S. and attended Culver Military Academy.

After his father's death in 1921, he took voice lessons in L.A. with the possible goal of a career in opera, but eventually he discontinued study.

He moved to Hollywood where he starred in two Spanish-language films, "The Fortune Teller" in 1934...and "The Singer of Naples" in 1935.

In his latter days, Enrico, Jr. concentrated on writing a comprehensive biography of his famous father, which he completed shortly before his death.

Enrico Caruso, Junior died in Jacksonville, Fla., after suffering a heart attack--on Apr. 11, 1987.