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
Artisti simili
-
-
Mario Lanza Sings The Hit Songs From The Student Prince And Other Great Musical Comedies
Classica - Pubblicato da RCA Red Seal il 1 gen 1954
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Three Tenors | The Best Opera Arias | Björling, Lanza & Gigli
Mario Lanza, Beniamino Gigli, Jussi Björling
Pop - Pubblicato da In Vinyl We Trust il 14 ott 2022
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mario! Lanza At His Best
Classica - Pubblicato da Living Stereo il 30 mag 1994
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
-
Don't Forget Me
Classica - Pubblicato da RCA Victor il 7 giu 1993
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Greatest Operatic Recordings Volume 2
Opera - Pubblicato da Sepia il 7 ago 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best Opera
Pop - Pubblicato da In Vinyl We Trust il 17 apr 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mario Lanza (Remastered)
Pop - Pubblicato da Techniche Label OMP il 20 ott 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
The Immortal Voice of Mario Lanza: A Centennial Celebration
Opera - Pubblicato da Sepia il 2 lug 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Be My Love
Bebop - Pubblicato da Planet Blue Records USA il 1 gen 1950
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mario Lanza Sings Songs From The Student Prince and The Desert Song
Classica - Pubblicato da RCA Classics il 12 mag 1989
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
L'incredibile Mario Lanza
Pop - Pubblicato da Universal Digital Enterprises il 17 dic 1948
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Great Caruso
Musica vocale (sacra e profana) - Pubblicato da Stage Door il 3 ago 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mario Lanza. Sus Mejores Temas
Opera - Pubblicato da Rama Lama il 1 gen 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mario Lanza Sings Caruso Favorites (Mono Version)
Generi vari - Pubblicato da BNF Collection il 1 gen 1961
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Récital (Live, Mono Version)
Mario Lanza, Constantine Callinicos
Generi vari - Pubblicato da BNF Collection il 1 gen 1961
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -