Caruso's only Scottish performances took place in 1909, as part of a provincial concert tour, and he appeared here only on the concert platform, not in a staged performance.
The tour was organised by Thomas Quinlan's Musical Bureau, and took him to Plymouth, Blackpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester and Belfast, before appearances in London's Albert Hall and finally Liverpool.
He performed in the St Andrew's Hall in Glasgow on 3 September 1909. It is recorded that there were 3500 present, with 500 or so being turned away. His programme included 'Vesti la giubba' from Pagliacci as well as 'Celeste Aïda'.
On 7 September, he performed in Edinburgh's McEwan Hall, with the same accompanist and singers. The Scotsman critic acknowledged Caruso's greatness and the warmth of the reception. In trying to explain why the Hall was not full, he invoked a combination of the uncommonly early date relative to the usual concert season, and the high prices, particularly for the most expensive seats. There were eight price levels advertised, ranging from 6s (all sold) up to 31s 6d!
At the end of his British tour, Caruso went on to Germany for eight performances in five cities - Frankfurt, Nürnberg, Hamburg, Berlin and Bremen, before returning to the USA to open the new season at the Metropolitan Opera in early November.
Caruso's earnings for the season of 1909-10, including the European tour and fifty-seven staged performances and one concert at the Metropolitan Opera, are recorded as being $158,350.
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