Emilio Pancani

Emilio Pancani was an Italian tenor whose large, dark voice suited Rossini and Bellini as well as Verdi. He studied in Florence with Borzacchi, began as a chorister and in small parts, and made his name at Odessa in 1851. Back in Italy he sang leading roles at Naples, Genoa and Milan, at La Scala in 1858–60, 1864–65 and 1868–70, and he appeared in Paris and German houses in 1860–61. He created the title role of Aroldo at Rimini in 1857. His most admired parts were Rossini's Otello and Manrico. He died in Hamburg.