Giovanni Martinelli

Italian opera singer, comparable in his day to such singers as Pavarotti and Domingo today. He was born 15 days before Aureliano Pertile in the same small town; the two tenors dominated the world of opera at the beginning of the 20th century.

The son of a cabinetmaker, Martinelli learned to play the clarinet as a child. During his required national service, he joined the regimental band where his ability as a singer was discovered, and he was sent to study with Professor Mandolini. In 1908, he performed in Verdi’s "Aida," and in 1910, he made his professional debut in Verdi’s "Ernani." The following year he starred in Puccini’s "La Fanciulla del West."

With a strong, robust voice, he was perfect for demanding roles, and he enjoyed immediate success in Italy. During 1912, he traveled to Monte Carlo and London, and in 1913, he became an associate of the Metropolitan Opera of New York. He performed in such operas as "Samson," "Manrico" and "Otello," and made his last appearance in "Turandot" in the mid-1960s.

Martinelli married in 1913 in Milan.

He died on 2 February 1969, New York, New York.