Italian tenor Gianni Raimondi has died, La Scala said Wednesday.

La Scala called Raimondi, who accompanied Maria Callas more than any other tenor, ''one of the greatest voices in our history''.

Raimondi, 85, died Sunday at his home near Bologna, leaving instructions that the news of his death be released after his funeral.

The tenor sang opposite Callas for the first time in La Traviata, directed by Luchino Visconti in 1956.

In all, he performed at La Scala 270 times.

The famous Milan opera house recalled another memorable performance by the Bolognese tenor, opposite Mirella Freni in 1963.