The Italian American Museum is proud to announce that it will host Opera Lecture Series in collaboration with the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute Queens College, City University of New York on November 3, 5, and 6, 2003 at the Museum 28 West 44th Street, 17th Floor, Manhattan.

This fascinating series will pay tribute to the 100th anniversary of Enrico Caruso’s Debut at the Metropolitan Opera House.

This tribute is in conjunction with the exhibit:
“CARUSO: THE LIFE AND WORK OF AN OPERA LEGEND"
which is currently housed at the Italian American Museum.

Each night there will be a different lecture starting at 6:00PM.

“VERDI: THE PATRIOT" by Cav. Nicholas Spilotro
is the first lecture in this exciting series that begins on Monday November 3rd.
This lecture examines the contributions of Verdi’s musical career to Italy’s
unification and how his operas informed political thought.

The next lecture is
“THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ENRICO CARUSO" by Cav. Uff. Aldo Mancusi
on Wednesday November 5th.  Mr. Mancusi is the curator of the Enrico Caruso Museum of America.  He will speak about the Caruso’s life and how and where it intersected the early twentieth century.

The final lecture is:
“ITALIAN OPERA: A CELEBRATION OF LIFE" and “THE CENTENNIAL OF CARUSO'S METROPOLITAN OPERA DEBUT" by Tenor Lou Barrella.
Mr. Barella will explore the transcending and celebratory nature of opera.

Enrico Caruso (1873 – 1921) is often considered the world’s greatest tenor to ever live.  He was born in Naples, Italy and went onto international fame as an opera singer.  In 1903, Caruso debuted at the Metropolitan Opera House to ecstatic reviews.  The Italian American Museum is celebrating the 100th anniversary of his monumental debut.

Italian American Museum, which is in transitional residence at the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, is located 28 W 44th St. 17th fl. Manhattan.  The Museum will be opened from Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by special appointment.

For further information please call:  (212) 642 – 2020
or visit our website at www.italianamericanmuseum.org.
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Calandra Italian American Institute and Italian American Museum
Press Release-For Immediate Release
Contact:  Maria Fosco
(212) 642- 2048
October 29-New York-