Biography: Icilio Calleja

TenorCalleja was born in Corfù, Greece. His grandfather Michele had originally emigrated from Żebbuġ to Egypt.Calleja graduated in law at the Sorbonne but singing was his real vocation.He made his debut as an amateur at Florence’s Teatro Verdi in 1904. Following further studies he was auditioned by Toscanini and Gatti-Casazza, making his debut at Milan’s...