Giorgio Tozzi

Giorgio Tozzi was an American operatic bass whose rich, velvety voice dominated stages from the 1950s through the 1970s. Born George John Tozzi in Chicago (1923–2011), he became a powerhouse at the Metropolitan Opera, thrilling audiences in classic roles like King Philip II in *Don Carlo* and the tragic title character of *Simon Boccanegra*. His knack for blending vocal warmth with dramatic intensity made him a go-to for composers like Verdi, Wagner, and Mozart—just peek at live recordings like *Aida* or *Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg* to hear why. Fun fact: He even lent his voice to Disney’s *The Jungle Book* as the hypnotic serpent Kaa!

Though he retired from opera in the ’70s, Tozzi stayed in the spotlight as a performer, teacher, and occasional actor. His legacy lives on in iconic live recordings (check out that fiery 1960 *Fidelio*!) and his knack for making complex characters feel deeply human. Whether anchoring grand tragedies like *La Gioconda* or breathing life into Debussy’s haunting *Pelléas et Mélisande*, Tozzi’s artistry remains a gold standard for opera lovers.

Genres

Opera

Latest Release

Simon Boccanegra staring Leyla Gencer

Giuseppe Verdi•

Gianandrea Gavazzeni•

Tito Gobbi•

Giorgio Tozzi•

Rolando Panerai•

Unknown

Album - 43 Tracks - Released November 18, 2022