after moving to brooklyn, new york, as a child, brocolini became interested in baseball and music. he began his career in the early 1870s as a journalist, then a baseball player, while also beginning a part-time singing career. after brief study in italy in 1875, he was engaged to sing opera in london and on tour by james henry mapleson, adopting his stage name from the borough of brooklyn, and italianizing it. in 1879, he joined the d'oyly carte opera company, with which he returned to the united states, where he originated the role of the pirate king. over the next decade, he mostly toured in america, briefly visiting australia, and played mostly in gilbert and sullivan roles, often with e. e. rice and john stetson companies. he eventually returned to brooklyn.