This article is about the Italian tenor. For the Florentine Baroque painter, see Giovanni Martinelli (painter). For the Libyan bishop, see Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli.Giovanni Martinelli (22 October 1885 – 2 February 1969) was a celebrated Italian operatic tenor. He was particularly associated with the Italian lyric-dramatic repertory, although he performed French operatic roles to great acclaim as well. Martinelli was one of the most famous tenors of the 20th century, enjoying a long career at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and appearing at other major international theatres.