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.
D. J. Caruso D. J. Caruso Daniel John Caruso, Jr. (; born January 17, 1965) is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. His work encompasses a variety of genres, including thriller ("Disturbia, Taking Lives"), drama ("Standing Up"), horror ("The Disappointments Room"), and action ("I Am Number Four, "). He has also directed numerous episodes of television series such as "The Shield", "Over There", "Smallville", and "Dark Angel". The majority of his films fall into the thriller and action film genres. Caruso was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, the son of Lorraine (Zullo) and Daniel John Caruso, who owned a salon, House of Beauty.