Ezio Pinza was an Italian opera singer and actor. He performed at La Scala Milan from 1922-24 and made his New York debut at the Metropolitan Opera in 1926, where he sang for 22 consecutive seasons. Ezio Pinza originated the role of Emile de Becque in the musical South Pacific by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, and also released an album of the musical. He also made several operatic recordings. Pinza appeared in the films Mr. Imperium and Strictly Dishonorable. He passed away in 1957.