Viva Caruso is one of Joe Lovano's "most ambitious and enjoyable recordings".[4] Inspired by the legendary Italian tenor, Enrico Caruso, Lovano deftly, yet directly, applies orchestral melodies and figures in different manners to create a beautifully meditative collection of music. The album contains a variety of songs, each of which focuses on a distinctive jazz interpretation of classical music.
- "Vesti la giubba - Leoncavallo - 3:48
- "Tarantella Sincera for voice & orchestra - DeCrescenzo - 4:42
- "The Streets of Naples" - Lovano - 4:57
- "Cielo Turchino for voice & orchestra [Deep Blue Sky] - Ciociano - 4:42
- "Pecchè? for voice & orchestra [Why?] - Pennino - 7:39
- "O sole mio, for voice & piano (or orchestra)" - DeCapua - 6:47
- "Viva Caruso" - Lovano - 4:18
- "Campane a sera "Ave Maria", for voice & orchestra [Evening Bells]" - Billi - 7:02
- "Santa Lucia, Neapolitan song" - Traditional - 4:25
- "Sultanto a Te for voice & orchestra [Only to You]" - Fuciio - 5:57
- "Il Carnivale di Pulcinella - Lovano - 6:42
- "For You Alone for voice & piano (or orchestra) - Geehl, O'Reilly - 4:07
- Joe Lovano – tenor sax (on all tracks)
- Joe Lovano Street Band (tracks 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11)
- Joe Lovano – arrangements and orchestrations
- Ed Schuller and Scott Lee – bass (both on all tracks)
- Gil Goldstein – accordion (3, 7)
- Joey Baron – drums (3, 7, 9, 11)
- Carmen Castaldi – drums (1, 6, 7, 11)
- Bob Meyer – mallets (1), drums (6, 7, 11)
- Jamey Haddad – mazhar (frame drum) (11)
- Michael Bocian – acoustic guitar (11)
- Judi Silvano – voice and flute (11)
- Billy Drewes – clarinet (11)
- Herb Robertson – trumpet (11)
- Gary Valente – trombone (11)
- Opera House Ensemble (tracks 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12)
- Byron Olson – arrangements, orchestrations, conductor
- Helen Campo – flute
- Dick Oatts – flute
- Billy Drewes – clarinet
- Charles Russo – bass clarinet
- Kim Lackowski – bassoon
- Michael Rabinowitz – bassoon
- Tom Christianson – oboe, English horn
- John Clark – French horn
- Ed Schuller – bass (tracks 2, 4, 8)
- Judi Silvano – voice (5 & 8)
- Gil Goldstein – accordion (5, 10, 12)
- Scott Lee – bass (5, 10, 12)