Mario Lanza
Dubbed "the greatest voice of the twentieth century" by Arturo Toscanini, Mario Lanza was one of America's most successful singers and movie stars in the years immediately following World War II. Born Alfredo Arnold Cocozza, he was the son of Italian immigrants, adopting his stage name from the masculine form of his mother's maiden name, Maria Lanza. From the age of 15, he studied to be a professional singer, later signing to the Columbia Artists Management agency as a concert singer; however, his career took a left turn in 1943, when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Billed as "the Service Caruso," Lanza performed for his fellow infantrymen and also sang in the production Winged Victory; upon his return from duty, he relocated to New York, where he performed concert dates and appeared on radio. One of his audition tapes found its way to MGM's Hollywood studios, and after MGM chief Louis B. Mayer subsequently saw Lanza perform live, he signed the singer to a seven-year contract.
After making his first -- and final -- appearance on the professional opera stage in 1948 in the New Orleans Opera's production of Madama Butterfly, Lanza made his MGM debut the following year in The Midnight Kiss, scoring a hit with the soundtrack's "Celeste Aida" (from Verdi's Aida). The Toast of New Orleans followed, launching his first million-selling hit, "Be My Love." In 1951 Lanza starred as his idol in the biopic The Great Caruso, scoring another million seller with "The Loveliest Night of the Year." In 1951 he mounted his own CBS radio series, and the following year starred in Because You're Mine; the title song, penned by Sammy Cahn and Nicholas Brodszky, earned an Academy Award nomination, and became Lanza's third and final million-selling effort.
After completing the music for the MGM production of The Student Prince, Lanza walked out on the project; by allowing the studio to retain rights to the recordings, he was able to avoid a breach of contract lawsuit, with the single "The Drinking Song" rising to the top of the U.S. charts. In the wake of his walkout Lanza became a recluse, disappearing from the limelight for over a year while battling addictions to food, alcohol, and tranquilizers; he also faced a series of battles with the IRS. Finally, in 1956 he resumed his film career in the Warner Bros. production Serenade; however, the next year, disillusioned with American life, he moved to Italy, settling in Rome to star in 1958's The Seven Hills of Rome. That same year Lanza toured the U.K., making one final film, For the First Time. He died in 1959 of a heart attack; his passing was later rumored to have been a Mafia hit ordered following his refusal to perform at the request of mob boss Lucky Luciano, but these allegations have never been substantiated, and in fact have been refuted by the Lanza family.
© TiVo
Similar artists
-
LANZA, Mario: The Christmas Album (1950-1952)
Mario Lanza, Studio chorus, Jeff Alexander Choir, Unknown Artist, Constantine Callinicos, Ray Sinatra
Jazz - Released by Naxos on Sep. 29, 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Romberg, Brodszky: Le prince étudiant, extraits - Succès d'opérettes (Mono Version)
Miscellaneous - Released by BNF Collection on Jan. 1, 1955
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Because You're Mine
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Sony Music Entertainment on Mar. 17, 2017
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
-
The Very Best of Mario Lanza
Classical - Released by Regis Records on Jan. 1, 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Backup the Best of Mario Lanza
World - Released by BackUp Best Sounds on Oct. 18, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Student Prince & The Great Caruso (Original Soundtrack Recording)
Film Soundtracks - Released by Foyer on Mar. 22, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
The Very Best of Mario Lanza
Mario Lanza, RCA Victor Orchestra, Constantine Callinicos
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Musical Concepts on Nov. 5, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
When Day Is Done
Classical - Released by RCA Victor on May 1, 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tosti: A vucchella & Marechiare (Mono Version)
Classical - Released by BNF Collection on Jan. 1, 1952
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
-
Poetry and Passion
Choral Music (Choirs) - Released by Sepia on Feb. 23, 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Famous Opera Arias
RCA Orchestra, Ray Heindorf, Ray Sinatra, Mario Lanza
Opera - Released by OperaPrima-Carillon on Jan. 1, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Les idoles de la chanson italienne : Mario Lanza, Vol. 4
Pop - Released by Mpm on Nov. 9, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Christmas Hymns And Carols
Ambient/New Age - Released by Seasonal on Sep. 19, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Be My Love
Pop - Released by José Luis Álvarez - Svetlana Novojilova Shulguina on Feb. 17, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Nessun Dorma
Pop - Released by Techniche Label OMP on Dec. 21, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Collection
Pop - Released by Baby One Records on Mar. 10, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Legends - Mario Lanza
International Pop - Released by RCA Camden on Sep. 27, 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best Of
International Pop - Released by RCA Camden on Oct. 25, 1999
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo