Ezio Pinza was an Italian opera star 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 starred in the original Broadway production of Donizetti's La Fille du Regiment. Pinza was a celebrated bass-baritone, and his voice was described as having a 'rich and sonorous quality'. He was also a noted teacher of singing, and many of his students went on to become successful opera singers.