Giuseppe 1: Opera’s di Stefano dies

One of the most exciting tenors of the postwar era, who might have eclipsed Caruso and Pavarotti had he shown more discipline, has died at 86. Giuseppe di Stefano was famed for his performances in Faust and Rigoletto and also for his love affair with Maria Callas (with whom he is pictured). Pavarotti called him 'the maestro'.

He died at his home north of Milan, having never fully recovered from injuries he received when he was attacked on holiday in Kenya in 2004. He was hit on the head while defending his wife, Monica Curth, from robbers who tried to steal her necklace. After emergency surgery in Mombasa, he was flown back to Milan, still in a coma. He finally awoke but never fully recovered from the ordeal.

His career took off immediately after the Second World War when he performed in Milan, New York, Vienna and Berlin to great acclaim. Rudolf Bing, long-time general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, recalled in his memoirs being awestruck by di Stefano's performance as Faust in the 1949-50 season at the Met. "The most spectacular single moment," he wrote, "was when I heard his diminuendo on the high C in 'Salut! Demeure' in Faust. I shall never as long as I live forget the beauty of that sound."

But three years later, di Stefano failed to show up in time to rehearse for La Boheme, claiming that illness had prevented him from travelling from Italy. When Bing learned that the tenor had in fact been healthy enough to perform at La Scala in Milan, he banned him from the Met for three years.

Bing said di Stefano could have been as great as Enrico Caruso if he had demonstrated 'more restraint' in his personal and professional conduct.

Di Stefano conceded that he could be reckless. He revelled in his image as a bon vivant and bragged of his affairs, including a long romance with Callas. "I wanted to enjoy life - not just the opera," he told Opera News in 1999.

His 'lack of restraint' had revealed itself early. After becoming a choir boy, Giuseppe enrolled in a seminary and studied for the priesthood. But he abandoned the seminary after falling for a young seamstress who had dropped by the di Stefano home to pick up some fabric. "I happened to be home from the seminary and... end of story," he said.