Ezio Pinza

Ezio Fortunato Pinza, born on May 18, 1892, in Rome, Italy, was an Italian opera singer known for his powerful bass voice. Encouraged by his father, he studied at the Conservatorio Giovanni Battista Martini in Bologna and debuted as Oroveso in Norma by Bellini two years later. Post-World War I, Pinza's career flourished with performances in Florence, Rome, and Milan, notably collaborating with Arturo Toscanini at La Scala. In 1926, he began a prolific tenure at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, performing under conductor Bruno Walter. His repertoire included roles such as Don Giovanni and Figaro. Pinza's vocal decline led him to Broadway and film roles, notably South Pacific. He passed away on May 9, 1957, in Stamford, Connecticut.