In 1952, he won the International Competition organized by the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, and began appearing there in small roles.
He first won recognition when he sang the role of Cinna in Spontini's La vestale, opposite Maria Callas, in a production by Luchino Visconti.
He also sang Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor, opposite Maria Callas, who, rumour has it, had him fired after the performance for holding a note longer than hers.
His sang in a wide variety of roles of the Italian and French repertoire, from baroque to contemporary works, but with a particular predilection for Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia and the title-role in Rigoletto.
In 1961, he sang Filippo in Beatrice di Tenda in a concert version by the American Opera Society in New York City, opposite Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne.