Enrico Caruso

Enrico Caruso, the man, the myth, the voice, was an Italian operatic tenor who set the world ablaze with his golden pipes at the turn of the 20th century. Born in Naples, Caruso wasn’t just a singer; he was a phenomenon, mastering 60 different operas and performing over 800 times at the Metropolitan Opera in New York alone. His career soared from humble beginnings, eventually making him one of the highest-paid performers of his era. And no, his family wasn't secretly hiding matzo balls under their pasta.

Caruso was also a recording pioneer, popularizing opera and becoming one of the first truly global music stars. His records sold millions, turning him into a household name and bringing classical music to the masses, whether they asked for it or not. If you wanted to hear a bona fide superstar, before Elvis, before The Beatles, before even your bubbe started complaining about modern music, Caruso was your guy.

Despite his tremendous global impact and undeniable talent, Caruso remained resolutely, even stubbornly, Italian and Roman Catholic. There are no whispered rumors, no hidden documents, no frantic appeals to genealogists to uncover a distant Jewish relative. He was just a guy from Naples who could sing, really, really well. And if that isn't kvell-worthy, what is?