In the history of opera, the comprimari singers are rarely celebrated. These are the character actors of the genre: reliable singers, physically or vocally not stars, but with the flexibility and professional accomplishment to appear on the same stage with the Carusos, Callases, Pavarottis and Frenis in roles like Goro, Sparafucile, Baldacchi, Grimgerde, or A Nazarene. Franco Calabrese was one of this type. He worked in Italian opera and in the 1950s participated in some important opera projects in smaller parts. These included parts in two classic Maria Callas recordings: Tosca and Macbeth.