Enrico Caruso was an Italian operatic tenor who was one of the most famous singers of the early 20th century. He was renowned for his powerful and emotive voice, which made him a popular choice for opera roles. He was also known for his recordings, which were some of the first to be commercially released. Caruso was born in Naples, Italy, and began singing professionally at the age of 19. He went on to perform in some of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including La Scala in Milan and the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He died in 1921 at the age of 48.