When we think of musical legends, some names are simply unforgettable. One such name is Ezio Pinza, the celebrated Italian bass whose powerful voice an remarkable versatility transcended opera and Broadway.

Born in Rome in 1892, Ezio Pinza’s early life was a far cry from the glamorous world of opera. He was actually studying to become a civil engineer. But as many great stories go, fate had other plans. Encouraged by his father to pursue singing, Pinza enrolled at the Conservatorio Giovanni Battista Martini in Bologna. It didn’t take long for his extraordinary voice to catch attention. By 1914, he made his operatic debut as Oroveso in Norma by Bellini, and from there, his career skyrocketed.

Pinza’s career in opera was nothing short of legendary. After World War 1, he performed with some of the most prestigious opera companies in the world, including Teatro alla Scala. His true breakthrough came when he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1926. He would go on to perform at the met for an incredible 22 seasons, playing over 50 roles in 750 performances.
Whether performing in Verdi’s Attila or Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman, Pinza’s artistry was unmatched. But it wasn’t just his voal talent that made him a star, his acting and stage presence were equally captivating. His towering presence and emotional depth made him a force to be reckoned with in any production.

Crossing Over: From Opera to Broadway

After retiring from opera in 1948, most artists would simply rested on their laurels. Not Ezio Pinza. Instead, he boldly stepped into the world of Broadway. It was a smooth transition – after all, his voice was made for musical theater. In 1949, Pinza took on the role of Emile de Becque in the iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific.

Pinza’s portrayal of Emile became legendary, especially his performance of the song „Some Enchanted Evening”, which quickly became a hit. His role earned him a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 1950. 

But Pinza’s talents didn’t end with opera and Broadway. In the 1950s, he ventured into film and television, making appearances in movies like Mr. Imperium (1951) and Tonight We Sing (1953). He also hosted his own TV show, The RCA Victor Show. 

A Dark Chapter in Pinza’s Life: The FBI Detention

In the 1940s, during World War II, Ezio Pinza’s life took a dramatic turn when he became entangled in an unfortunate political controversy. At the time, tensions were high, and the Unitaed States was deeply concerned about potential threats from foreign sympathizers. Pinza, who has lived in both Italy and the U.S., became the subject of suspicion due to his Italian heritage and some of his past associations.

In 1942, Pinza was wrongfully detained by the FBI for several months. The FBI suspected that, because of his Italian background, he might have ties to fascist sympathizers, a label what was not uncommon for Italian expatriates during the war. It was a time of extreme paranoia in the U.S., with government agencies conducting widespread investigations into possible connections between foreign nationals and the Axis powers.

Though there was no concrete evidence to support the accusations against him, Pinza’s fame and international connections led to scrutiny. He was detained under suspicion of being a threat to national security, a claim that was completely unfounded. As a man who spent most of his life in the U.S., contributing to its cultural scene through opera and theater, this accusation was both unjust and harmful. 

In his later years, Pinza struggled with health issues, including heart problems. These health issues impacted his ability to perform regularly, and by the late 1950s, he was no longer able to sing at the level he had in his prime. Despite this, he remained committed to his craft and tried to maintain his connection with this audience, often performing in smaller venues or taking on roles that did not require as much vocal strain.
He passed away on September 9th, 1957, at the age of 65. He died in Greenwich Village, New York, where he lived during his later years. The cause of death was related to complication from heart disease.