He made his European debut at the Teatro Nuovo in Milan as Alfredo in Verdi's La traviata in 1954, following that as Paolino in Cimarosa's Il matrimonio segreto.

His debut at the La Scala came in 1956 as Count Almaviva in Rossini's The Barber of Seville, the role for which he became best known and widely admired.

[6] He rarely ventured beyond his favourite repertoire, which included Mozart, Rossini, and Donizetti and to which (according to Harold Rosenthal) his "elegant, refined style" was particularly suited.

He retired from the stage in 1989, but sponsors the Premio Luigi Alva for young singers, gives master classes, and serves as a juror in singing competitions.

Rossini: Mozart: Haydn: Cimarosa: Leoncavallo: Puccini: Verdi: Schubert: Donizetti: Handel: Gounod: Scarlatti: Opera Recital