Gregorio Wu

Wu Pak Chiu, also known as Gregorio Wu, was a prominent Chinese operatic tenor who was also was one the most prominent Asian actors working in Italy in the 1960s, appearing in countless films and fotoromanzi (photo comics), though usually uncredited. Wu was born in 1913 in Guangzhou, China. He graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 1937 and in 1946 he left China and enrolled as a fourth year student at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, graduating in 1948 at the top of his class. He later studied privately under the legendary tenor Beniamino Gigli. While singing in concert halls and on radio and television programs throughout Europe, he started appearing in film roles. He acted in many comedies with Totò and the duo Franco and Ciccio (Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia). He was also featured in various Eurospy films and also appeared in a long line of fotoromanzi. He was usually uncredited, even though several of the roles he played were fairly large. In 1969, Gregorio returned to Hong Kong where he gave his final performance in a recital for the Lingnan University Alumni Association. After retiring from the concert stage, he spent his time teaching vocal and choral singing at various secondary schools. He died in Hong Kong in 1974.