The actor got his break at age 20 when opera legend Luciano Pavarotti, who served as a producer on Rent, handpicked him for the show. “He was in the audience during an audition and just put his finger on me and said I was the horse to put the money on," Altieri recalls. "On opening night, I hit the wrong high note and was so worried he’d be upset, but afterwards he said, ‘Bravissimo! You’re incredible and never forget it!’”
