Mario Lanza
b. Alfredo Arnold Cocozza, 31 January 1921, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, d. 7 October 1959, Rome, Italy. An enormously popular star in film musicals and on records during the 50s, with a magnificent operatic tenor voice. The son of Italian immigrants, he took his stage name from the masculine version of his mother's maiden name, Maria Lanza. From the age of 15, Lanza studied singing with several teachers, and was introduced into society circles with the object of gaining a patron. He was signed to Columbia Artistes Management as a concert singer, but their plans to send him on an introductory tour were quashed when Lanza was drafted into the US Army in 1943. He appeared in shows, billed as "the Service Caruso", and sang in the chorus of the celebratory Forces show Winged Victory. After release, he lived in New York, gave concerts and worked on radio shows. One of the audition recordings that he made for RCA Records found its way to the MGM Film Studios, and when he deputized for another tenor at the Hollywood Bowl, MGM chief Louis B. Mayer was in the audience.
Listen to Mario Lanza
at Finetune.
Albums
- (2006) Mario! Lanza At His Best + Vagabond King Highlights
- (2001) My Romance
- (1999) Arias and Duets
- (1999) Mario Lanza: The Ultimate Collection
- (1998) When Day Is Done
- (1998) Mario Lanza Sings Christmas Carols
- (1995) Lanza Greatest Hits
- (1995) Mario! Lanza At His Best
- (1995) You'll Never Walk Alone
- (1991) The Mario Lanza Collection
- (1991) Be My Love
- (1989) Mario Lanza Sings Songs From The Student Prince and The Desert Song
- (1987) The Legendary Tenor
- (1987) Christmas With Mario Lanza
Top Tracks
- Be My Love
- O Sole Mio
- I'll Walk With God
- Danny Boy
- Drink, Drink, Drink
Related Artists
- Andrea Bocelli
- Luciano Pavarotti
- Placido Domingo
- Sarah Brightman
- Charlotte Church
- Tony Bennett
- Jose Carreras
- Kiri Te Kanawa
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Barbra Streisand
- Frank Sinatra & Tommy Dorsey And His Orchestra
- Julie Andrews
- Renata Scotto
- Jeff Alexander Chorus
- Choir of St. Paul's Cathedral
- Vienna Symphony Orchestra
- London Symphony Orchestra
- Michael Crawford
- Eva Marton
- Harry Connick, Jr.
Fans
Comments
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Resident_Insomniac on 2007-03-21 19:20:24.410:
Mario Lanza was by far, the greatest tenor since Caruso. His dreams and talents were never truly appreciated or became reality due his short life. A fan's note regarding Mario Lanza is that Elvis Presley claimed Lanza as his favourite vocalist.