Mind boggling. The more one listens to Mario Lanza, the more one is convinced that he is one of the greatest voices ever recording. That emotional, a capella ending is flawless, powerful, musical. Great, great rendition of one Donizetti's masterful aria.
I think this Una Furtiva Lagrima is the best example of Lanza's youthful voice, unaffected by weight fluctuations. His voice darkens a bit in his later films. Give me the voice of Lanza with the discipline and vocality of Caruso and I would be set for eternity. Interesting that Lanza was born in the same year that Caruso died (1921).
So beautiful!!! There is no voice like his - so passionate, so emotional, so strong and warm. I grew up listening to him - my father loved him - but every time I am still knocked out by the beauty! Thank you.
Mario Lanza was amazing. This is an example of his incomparable ability to crossover from opera to popular music which he does so flawlessly, beautifully and with emotion and passion. For anyone who loves Lanza, it is worth reading a new, bestselling book about him: “ A KID FROM PHILADELPHIA, MARIO LANZA, THE VOICE OF THE POETS “It is a marvelous portrayal of the man, his talent, his love of his art and his warmth and why he continues to be considered among the greatest performers of all time.
Many gifts from Philadelphia, and the "Kid" may be about the best one...as much as I like pork sandwiches and cheeseteaks with real cheese, not colored residue from oil refineries - named Cheese Whiz."
1st time I have seen this marvelous clip , which starts to demonstrate why Mario Lanza was one of the most miraculous tenors in audio recorded history. Thank you for posting it.
Kind MOOG FAN, As the poster, I'm so honored to hear from you! Mr. Lanza left us far too soon. Every time I view this I still get goose-bumps! What a voice! Thanks again, varadero
You're welcome! Mario is/was wonderful indeed. Thanks so much for your mention. I'm honored. Just to say thanks to an age that produced the technology that will let us all listen/see him forever! We're very lucky.
But this is from a film, no? How wonderful! Thank you. I can never get enough of his voice, his beauty, his singing his performance, he lives his songs. He was a true artist, and very few really are.
Watching Mario kind of equals listening to him! They're both a pleasure! As you see him sing, it's almost as if you were right there. He had, or still celestially has that kind of on-screen presence that makes your mouth drop open with wonder! It's as if you can't believe what you're hearing! Suddenly you know that you're in the presence of genius!
Terrie Tackett Hard to believe he was only 38 years old ... Ironically he died at the height of Elvis Presley's fame , who himself died at only age 42, and Elvis , if I'm not mistaken was a big fan . Strange how things pan out ??
Thank you for Information!! Well im soprano Lyrico...but Mario Lanza were always and will always be my IDOL and my "teacher" i adore everything about him...hi has an unic voice...unic sound...Mario Lanza for me...is the King of Oper...
Mario Lanza fué un Fenómeno de nuestros tiempos.. Dotado de una Lírica una Voz Única.. Qué él Padre Todopoderoso le otorgó, Nació en una pobreza extrema y Sin embargo fué y es un Diamante Puro.. Diós bendiga su Memoria, su amor, dedicación y Su Arte.. Arriba Mario
Y aún más en estos Tiempos No sé qué Sucede qué No sé Desarrollan estas Voces.. Estos Fenómenos. La Lírica Tecnológica No Inspira al Cantó A Capella, Con esas Fuerzas Unidas a la Saludable Naturaleza qué Logren la Inspiración al Bello Cantó.. Diós los Bendiga!!! Lanza, Pavarotti, y otros Cantores más!!
Well, at last. I can say , a breath- taking sound. ! Mario Lanza , comes from that last " Golden Age " of singing. The difference in sound, to the last three singers of more recent times , is astounding. We indeed have lost something so very valuable in our lives. .
And we lost him so young! So grateful for your kind words related to this clip. I can only imagine what we might have expected from this genius had he lived longer! Thanks so much for writing. varadero
Mario Lanza, left early, but left us a wonderful legacy of his voice, character and especially the beautiful movies that participated and left his indelible mark of the artist was phenomenal. Too bad, he is now singing to God and left us here, long ago.
It is truly amazing that a singer who passed away so long ago still captures the imagination of millions. It is a testimony to Mario Lanza's fantastic talent. It was a splendid but short lived career filled with passion and success and some difficult times. At the end, Lanza was back on his way up and was among the most popular entertainers of his era. I recommend reading A KID FROM PHILADELPHIA, MARIO LANZA, THE VOICE OF THE POETS, and to listen to him as you read the beautiful essays that are a homage to a star who is still with us and will always be with us.
I remember when he died! Wasn't around when Caruso left us, but maybe just for a minute the world was silenced at the news of Mario's departure. Thanks so much for your mention! varadero
I was 10 yrs old when I started listening to Mario Lanza. I saw every movie he made. When my mom told me he died, I stayed in my room all day and cried. Thanks to YT I can watch and listen to him till I pass away.
I agree! I suspect that there will always be millions of people who will miss this vocal genius! Grateful to you for having taken the time to write! varadero
Divine Lanza, Alfred Cocozza! He had an exceptional talent: a voice of incredible purity and power; a voice that charmed everyone with his sincerity and genuine feeling. Lanza left this world so early, at 38. Very, Very sorry... But he left us his imperishable legacy: the voice of beauty and love; the voice of joy and suffering... Thank you for the wonderful video!
Time passes, but Mario's particular charm seems endless! I suspect that though they may be in the shadows, many girls are still throwing themselves his way! Thanks for writing Mr. Hoffman! varadero
PAVAROTTI AND PLACIDO DOMINGO AND JOSE CARRERAS ARE FINE TENORS TO BE SURE, BUT NO ONE COMPARES TO THE VOICE OF MARIO LANZA! ONCE IN A HUNDRED YEARS DOES A VOICE LIKE HIS COME ALONG. HE WAS BORN ALMOST 100 YEARS AGO SO ANOTHER INCREDIBLE TENOR IS ABOUT TO COME ON THE SCENE
Thanks FleshLessOne! Grateful and honored to hear from you! After seeing this film I suspect most of the known world who could see movies in those days fell in love with him! Little wonder! What a talent!
I agree! He never really left us. That persona, and his exquisite voice will be with us always! I'm grateful for your beautiful comment! Thank you so much!
Mighty Mario had the finest,most awesome tenor voice of all time.His charisma and personal magic,now known as the X-Factor were unsuppassed,and |I salute him.I love you Mario!
Hi Wil Stockton, You mentioned his age here. This was his 1st Hollywood film! I think it was 1949, and indeed he was very young. I'm grateful to hear from you! Many thanks! Varadero
Beautiful..... Thank goodness we have Mario on film to remember his incredible voice. He was such a good looking man who photographed beautifully and was a really decent actor as well. These films are wonderful for all the people who were not born or were too young to appreciate him when he was alive. Rest in peace Mario you will never be forgotten. X
Dear Mr. Washington, Thanks so much for your praise. I recall reading that many of the most popular singers, including Pavarotti, wanted to be, or become his equal vocally. Some did, but Mr. Lanza was their inspiration! varadero
Lanza, born with a gift that, for his manner of interpretation and performance is virtually impossible to match. Whenever recording, performing in film or simply being himself, Mario was Mario. His background would never have provided him the opportunity of such great success without his determination to be what he became and what ultimately took him from us so many years past. Bravo, Mario. Bravo.
This performance is a wonderful example of the fantastic talent of Mario Lanza. He was amazing. He was simultaneously a great tenor, a marvelous recording artist, a global movie star and a highly sought after concert performer. A splendid book captures his talent, passion and love of his art: A KID FROM PHILADELPHIA, MARIO LANZA, THE VOICE OF THE POETS. It is a beautiful homage and should be read while listening to Mario sing.
BONJOUR ALORS LA MARIO LANZA MAGNIFIQUE MA MERE ADORAIT CE CHANTEUR D'OPERA ET IL METTAIT DES SENTIMENTS EN CHANTANT BRAVO SI VOUS M'ENTENDEZ DE LA HAUT CHAPEAU BAS MONSIEUR
Thank you for posting When he was in Phila, he lived a few doors down from my aunts.... Thank the LORD for his movies, recordings will remain alive, just like Luciano.... When HE gives you a voice,use it to Honor and Do Good. Pax+
Mario at the height of his film career was suffering from increasing weight and his director insisted he diet. For the moment I cannot recall the name of the film but it starred Mario, Katheryn Grayson, and my very dear friend, the late Vincent Price. It was Vinnie who told me how Mario would eat garlic for lunch and the reappear on the set and deliberately stand within in "marks" and sing loudly, with his extraordinary voice, attempt to keep Katheryn from completing her side of the song. His garlic breath did not deter her as she stood in front of the crew and camera's completing her role. I don't believe she ever forgave him, but the set had to reek of garlic by the end of their shots, which were many. Vincent claimed it was in retaliation of her and the director demanding he not overshadow her performance - which would have been impossible - together they were a marvelous singing couple, apart I doubt they recalled each others names. I truly wish I could recall the film title, but I am certain you can find it via google. As you said in your post: Thank the LORD for his movies - he was spectacular and did not leave enough of his talents behind for the world to absorb and enjoy. He was, as we say in Italian … Benedetto .. Blessed.
