Carlo Bergonzi was an Italian operatic tenor. He was born into an opera-loving family: When Carlo Bergonzi was six years old, his parents introduced him to Il Trovatore's show that impressed him instantly. He sang in choirs when he was still young and acted in child's roles in operas in Busseto. While he played many bel canto- and verismo-roles, he was mainly connected to Giuseppe Verdi's operas, along with several lesser-known works by the composer that he tried to revive. As a baritone, Bergonzi made his début as Figaro/Il Barbiere di Siviglia in 1948 at Lecce. Other baritone rôles included Belcore/L'elisir d'amore and Marcello/La Bohème (both with Gigli, as well as a tour of L'elisir d'amore with Tito Schipa, all formative experiences); Dr. Malatesta/Don Pasquale, Germont/La Traviata, Enrico/Lucia di Lammermoor, and a single performance as Rigoletto, substituting for Tito Gobbi in Puglia.

The performances of Bergonzi were noteworthy for the warmth of his voice, the musicality of his singing, and his dramatic output. His stage appearance can be entirely wooden, but his charm, grace, and subtle singing taste made up for a deficit in this department. His discography is comprehensive, comprising of several excellent company studio recordings and several unauthorized live show recordings. He is regarded as an interpreter of Verdi's operas