Ettore Bastianini, born on September 24, 1922, in Siena, Italy, was an Italian operatic baritone. He began his musical journey at fifteen, singing bass during religious functions, and started vocal training under Fathima and Anselmo Ammanati in 1939. After serving in the Italian Air Force during World War II, he resumed his career, making his operatic debut as Colline in La bohème at the Teatro Alighieri in Ravenna in November 1945. Bastianini transitioned to baritone roles in 1952 and made his Metropolitan Opera debut on December 5, 1953, as Germont in La traviata. He performed regularly at the Met through May 1957, returning for several roles, including Don Carlo di Vargas in La forza del destino (1960). His final performance was as Rodrigo on December 11, 1965. Bastianini's notable recordings include Andrea Chénier (1957) and Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana (1957). He passed away on January 25, 1967.
![Verdi: Don Carlos (Recorded 1956) [Live]](https://cdn-images.dzcdn.net/images/cover/3693e56bfe4432f665fff3d4a9ee0b97/120x120-000000-80-0-0.jpg)
