 Campanari made his official operatic debut as Tonio in "I Pagliacci" with Hinrichs' Opera Company in New York City on 15 June 1893, being the first singer to perform the role in the United States.His New York Metropolitan Opera debut came on 30 November 1894, when he sang the role of the Count di Luna in "Il trovatore" with the great heroic tenor Tamagno as Manrico.In 1895, he had his first notable success singing Ford in the first American production of "Falstaff", with Victor Maurel in the title role.