Caruso

Lara Fabian's rendition of 'Caruso' is a powerful and emotional tribute to the Italian tenor Enrico Caruso. The song, originally written and performed by Lucio Dalla, is a fictional account of the last days of Caruso's life, filled with intense emotion and a reflection on love, life, and art.

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man standing on a terrace overlooking the Gulf of Sorrento, embracing a young woman after she has cried. The man is Caruso, and the song captures his deep feelings of love ('Te voglio bene assai' - I love you very much) as he contemplates his life and career. The reference to the lights on the sea, which he initially mistakes for America, symbolizes his past triumphs and the fleeting nature of fame and success. The 'chain' that 'melts the blood inside the veins' suggests the inescapable and intense connection of love that Caruso feels.

The song also touches on the theme of artifice in the world of opera ('La potenza della lirica dove ogni dramma é un falso') where drama is manufactured and emotions can be feigned. Yet, in this moment of authenticity, Caruso's true feelings break through the performance. The song's climax, where a tear falls from the girl's eye and Caruso feels as though he is drowning, symbolizes the overwhelming power of genuine emotion over the staged drama of his profession. Lara Fabian's performance captures the essence of this narrative with her emotive vocal delivery, bringing the listener into the heart of Caruso's emotional turmoil.