Caruso (1873-1921) sang to great acclaim at the major opera houses of Europe and the Americas, appearing in a wide variety of roles that ranged from the lyric to the dramatic. He was also one of the first major singing talents to be commercially recorded.

Many theatrical and personal items once owned by Caruso were collected by Commendatore Aldo Mancusi, who created the Enrico Caruso Museum in his Brooklyn home. Upon his passing in 2022, his collection was divided and donated to four major locations, but his affection for Casa Belvedere and Gina Biancardi made him donate many of his most precious items to the Italian Cultural Foundation.

Founding member Lou Barrella has worked for many months to curate and display these items in a section of the mansion. On Saturday, a ribbon cutting for this new gallery was attended by special guests who played an important role in this transfer, including Mancusi’s daughters. The Enrico Caruso Gallery will be available for tours by appointment only; details will be announced soon.