By Nino Pantano

A gala celebration was recently held honoring Commendatore Aldo Mancusi and the life and legacy of Mme. Licia Albanese at the New York Athletic Club at Central Park South. Mancusi, who is the founder and curator of the Enrico Caruso Museum in Brooklyn, was recently given the much coveted title of Commendatore, one of the highest honors the Italian government can bestow. It is signed by both the president and prime minister of Italy and was presented to Mancusi at the Italian Consulate on June 2 by Consul Gen. Natalia Quintavalle.

Mancusi's idol, the immortal tenor Enrico Caruso (1873-1821), was also given the same honor in his lifetime. Special honored guests were Eric Murray, Caruso's grandson from his marriage to American socialite Dorothy; and his wife Lynne. Eric is the son of the great tenor's daughter, the late Gloria Caruso.

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Source: http://www.brooklyneagle.com/