"Under the baton of a young Arturo Toscanini, the premiere of I Pagliacci, in Milan, at Teatro dal Verme, in May 21st 1892, was a success -- helped, without a doubt, by a star cast, in which the French baritone Victor Manuel stood out in the character of Tonio (also singing the prologue), who is the creator of verdians roles like Iago and Falstaff, thanks to his friendship with Leoncavallo during his period in Paris." (Perpetuo)