Early interest in breeding of racehorses for ten years

Served in Reggimento Savoia Cavalleria

Debut as stage set designer

Moved to Paris; worked for Jean Renoir as costume designer and third assistant director on "Un Partie de Campagne/A Day in the Country" (1936) and "Les Bas-Fonds/The Lower Depths" (1937)

Made brief, disillusioning visit to Hollywood

Joined editorial staff of "Cinema" magazine during WWII

Film directing debut with "Ossessione" (also co-screenplay)

Directed first play, Cocteau's "Parenti terrible/Les Parents terribles" in Rome; continued as stage director

Directed first opera, "La vestale" in Milan

As opera director, was credited with development of Maria Callas as a superstar

Last film, "L'Innocente"