Italian Americans (founded in 1880), but it was the arrival of impresario Giulio Gatti-Casazza in 1908, who brought with him conductor Arturo Toscanini, that made the Met an internationally known musical organization. Many Italian operatic singers and conductors were invited to perform for American audiences, most notably, tenor Enrico Caruso. The premiere of the opera La Fanciulla del West on December 10, 1910, with conductor Toscanini and tenor Caruso, and with the composer Giacomo Puccini in attendance, was a major international success as well as an historic event for the entire Italian American community. Italian Americans became involved in entertainment and sports.
David Hughes (tenor) David Hughes (tenor) David Hughes (born Geoffrey Paddison; 11 October 1925 – 19 October 1972) was an English pop and opera singer. Paddison was born in Bournbrook, Birmingham, England to an English mother and Welsh father. As a child he listened to records by Caruso. He found work as a railway clerk at Curzon Street, Birmingham. During his time there he was invited to sing "On the Road to Mandalay" at an office concert. This was so well received that he started taking professional singing lessons. He also was an RAF cadet and took flying lessons at Wythall airfield near