Artifacts

Enrico Caruso and the Mask

One of Farfariello's most successful characters was that of his friend and compatriot Enrico Caruso.

One evening to note happened during World War I, at an event in tribute to the Italian war effort:

It was an evening in honor of Farfariello, an evening benefiting the Italian patriotic cause. In a box in the front, Enrico Caruso was present as well. The stage was all adorned with Italian flags. Then Farfariello made his appearance. The thunderous and moving applause for a moment stopped him. Farfariello performed "The Italian at the Cooperative." Everyone's eyes filled up with tears when Caruso, who applauded fervorously, could no longer restrain himself; abandoning his seat he dashed on the stage to press the artist, his admired son, to his heart.
[Performing High, Performing Low: Enrico Caruso and Eduardo Migliaccio by Esther Romeyn]