Portrait of Mario Del Monaco.

Mario Del Monaco (tenor) had his debut in the opera "Madama Butterfly," by Verdi, at Teatro Puccini, in Milan, in 1940, one year before having being prevented from the Italian army expedition to Russia by colonel Gino Ninchi. Ninchi explained: "Don't force the destiny. You will belong the infantry if you be called. Moreover, you are an heritage of our country and will serve your nation showing your unique voice to the world." His talent was so pre-eminent that for 28 years La Scala would only present "Andrea Chènier", by Umberto Giordano, if Monaco was in the cast.