The number of tenors throughout the first half of the twentieth century considered great exponents of the role of Otello ever since Francesco Tamagno premiered Giuseppe Verdi's opera in 1887 at La Scala, can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Without doubt one of them was Icilio Calleja who became the second tenor after Tamagno to sing this demanding role at the same opera house. In Italy, one critic dubbed him the Napoleon of tenors - Il Napoleone dei tenori.

Biography and articles:
Biography: Icilio Calleja: Il Napoleone dei Tenori. Written by Emy Scicluna.