Ezio Pinza was an Italian opera singer and basso who had a long and successful career in the United States. He is best known for his role as Emile de Becque in the musical South Pacific, for which he won a Tony Award. He also sang in many operas, including La Bohème, Don Giovanni, and Madama Butterfly. Pinza was one of the most acclaimed opera singers of his time and was highly respected by his peers.