Hundreds of artists in 1914 donated their works to a benefit for World
War I "sufferers." Sculptor C.S. Pietro provided the facility for the
benefit at his studio at 630 Fifth Ave. Visitors included celebrities
such as former President William Howard Taft and Enrico Caruso.
Pietro in late November of that year apparently tried to raise more funds
for the cause by announcing that Caruso would give a benefit performance at
the studio. Admission was only 25 cents. According to press
reports, the crowd for the performance grew to more than 2,000 and not
only filled Pietro's studio but also surrounding office space.
Caruso's failure to appear at the studio that afternoon,
however, resulted in such unrest that the New York Police
Department responded with riot forces. Press accounts differ on why Caruso
failed to appear. One report indicated that the singer could not get through the
crowd that was waiting for him. Another report indicated that he opted to
attend a rehearsal for a performance scheduled that night.
The New York Tribune reported that Caruso visited the studio the next day
and bought a painting to aid the cause.
