Giovanni Zenatello

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Giovanni Zenatello (2 February 1876 - 11 February 1949) was an Italian opera singer. He was born in Verona.

His music teacher originally tried to train him as a baritone, but Zenatello became a well known tenor. He made his professional debut in 1898. On February 17, 1904, he created the role of Pinkerton in the world premiere of Puccini's Madama Butterfly at La Scala. He eventuallly became the world's greatest performer of Giuseppe Verdi's Otello. His 1926 recording of Otello's entrance, the "Esultate", is probably unsurpassed and attests to his incredible voice and style in this role.

He lived with mezzo-soprano Maria Gay from 1906 until her death in 1943. They were often described as husband and wife, though they may never have actually married.

In 1913 Zenatello was instrumental in getting Verona's Ancient Roman arena restored and used as a site for putting on opera. That year the arena put on a grand production of Aida, marking the centenial of Verdi's birth.

Zenatello died in New York City.