Actor and tenor, Ignacio Jarquin takes on
the role of Enrico Caruso recounting his survival through the 1906
San Francisco earthquake. At this time Caruso was at the height of
his fame and popularity, the favourite of Presidents and crowned
heads of Europe.
Having escaped from his hotel during the
first tremors, he was reduced to the level of refugee. For several
days he had to keep moving to avoid the subsequent fires which
destroyed much of the city. As he describes his experiences, he has
flashbacks to previous episodes in his life such as the first time
he became interested in singing as a child. There is a poignant
aspect to his account since his faithful valet Gilbert perished in
the earthquake.
Ignacio Jarquin gives a delightful
performance, adorning the story with small excerpts from operas by
Puccini and Rossini.
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