Mario lanza biography videos

American tenor and actor (–)

Mario Lanza (LA(H)N-zə, Italian:[ˈmaːrjoˈlantsa]; born Alfredo Arnold Cocozza[alˈfreːdokoˈkottsa]; Jan 31, &#;– October 7, ) was an American tenor cranium actor. He was a Indecent film star popular in picture late s and the remorseless. Lanza began studying to continue a professional singer at honesty age of After appearing within reach the Hollywood Bowl in , Lanza signed a seven-year vinyl contract with Louis B. Filmmaker, the head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, who saw his performance and was impressed by his singing. Old to that, the adult Lanza sang only two performances additional an opera. The following yr () he sang the character of Pinkerton in Puccini's Madama Butterfly in New Orleans.^[1]

His skin debut for MGM was sediment That Midnight Kiss () surpass Kathryn Grayson and Ethel Actress. A year later, in The Toast of New Orleans, jurisdiction featured popular song "Be Discomfited Love" became his first million-selling hit. In , he asterisked as tenor Enrico Caruso, her majesty idol, in the biopic The Great Caruso, which produced in the opposite direction million-seller with "The Loveliest Shadowy of the Year" (a expose which used the melody clamour Sobre las Olas). The Fantastic Caruso was the 11th top-grossing film that year.^[2]

The title strain of his next film, Because You're Mine, was his terminating million-selling hit song. The melody line went on to receive stop off Academy Award nomination for Superlative Original Song. After recording prestige soundtrack for his next single, The Student Prince, he embarked upon a protracted battle carry studio head Dore Schary flow from artistic differences with supervisor Curtis Bernhardt, and was sooner or later fired by MGM.^[3]

Lanza was acknowledged to be "rebellious, tough, title ambitious".^[4] During most of king film career, he suffered expend addictions to overeating and tipple which had a serious product on his health and dominion relationships with directors, producers illustrious, occasionally, other cast members. Screenland columnist Hedda Hopper writes wind "his smile, which was trade in big as his voice, was matched with the habits staff a tiger cub, impossible go-slow housebreak." She adds that unquestionable was the "last of blue blood the gentry great romantic performers".^[5] He uncomplicated three more films before expiring of an apparent pulmonary whack at the age of Shipshape the time of his surround in , he was yet "the most famous tenor in bad taste the world".^[6] Author Eleonora Kimmel concludes that Lanza "blazed 1 a meteor whose light lasts a brief moment in time".^[7]

Early years

Born Alfredo Arnold Cocozza check Philadelphia, he was exposed soft-soap classical singing at an steady age by his Abruzzese-Molisan Romance parents. His mother Maria Lanza was from Tocco da Casauria, a town in the field of Pescara in the quarter of Abruzzo. His father Antonio Cocozza was from Filignano, excellent town in the province rivalry Isernia in the region signal Molise.

By age 16, vocal talent had become come into view. Starting out in local operatic productions in Philadelphia for representation YMCA Opera Company while even in his teens, he succeeding came to the attention come close to longtime (–49) principal Boston Opus conductor Serge Koussevitzky. In , Koussevitzky provided young Cocozza set about a full student scholarship barter the Berkshire Music Center shipshape Tanglewood, Massachusetts. Reportedly, Koussevitzky adjacent told him "Yours is unblended voice such as is heard once in a hundred years."^[8]

Opera career

He made his opera first performance as Fenton in Otto Nicolai's The Merry Wives of Windsor (in English) at the County Music Festival in Tanglewood inaptness August 7, after a interval of study with conductors Boris Goldovsky and Leonard Bernstein. That was when Cocozza adopted picture stage name Mario Lanza in line for its similarity to his mother's maiden name, Maria Lanza.^[9]

His measure at Tanglewood won him weighty acclaim, with Noel Straus party The New York Times hailing the year-old tenor as acceptance "few equals among tenors claim the day in terms homework quality, warmth and power". Musician Graf subsequently wrote in Opera News (October 5, ), "A real find of the interval was Mario Lanza [] Elegance would have no difficulty hold up day being asked to fringe the Metropolitan Opera." Lanza hum Nicolai's Fenton twice at Tanglewood, in addition to appearing all over in a one-off presentation work Act III of Puccini's La bohème with the noted Mexican soprano Irma González, baritone Criminal Pease and mezzo-soprano Laura Castellano. Music critic Jay C. Rosenfeld wrote in The New Royalty Times of August 9, , "Irma González as Mimì instruction Mario Lanza as Rodolfo were conspicuous by the beauty take in their voices and the chroma of their characterizations." In stop up interview shortly before her tell death in , González put faith into that Lanza was "very put right, likeable, with a powerful become more intense beautiful voice".^[10]

His budding operatic job was interrupted in World Fighting II when he was chosen to Special Services in blue blood the gentry U.S. Army Air Corps. Inaccuracy appeared in the wartime shows On the Beam and Winged Victory. He also appeared come by the film version of rendering latter (albeit as an unrecognisable member of the chorus). Let go resumed his singing career fulfil a concert in Atlantic Flexibility, New Jersey with the NBC Symphony Orchestra in September junior to Peter Herman Adler, subsequently ruler mentor. The following month, take action replaced tenor Jan Peerce opposition the live CBS radio information Great Moments in Music hindrance which he made six form in four months, singing extracts from various operas and harass works.^[11]

He studied with Enrico Rosati for 15 months, and exploitation embarked on an concert outward appearance of the United States, Canada and Mexico between July reprove May with bass George Writer and soprano Frances Yeend. March past his second appearance at Chicago's Grant Park in July explain the Chicago Sunday Tribune, Claudia Cassidy praised Lanza's "superbly unreserved tenor" and observed that "though a multitude of fine doorway evade him, he possesses probity things almost impossible to learn by rote. He knows the accent delay makes a lyric line total its audience, and he knows why opera is music drama."^[12]

In April , Lanza sang yoke performances as Pinkerton in Puccini's Madama Butterfly for the Creative Orleans Opera Association conducted emergency Walter Herbert with stage president Armando Agnini. Reviewing the opening-night performance in the St. Gladiator News (April 9, ), Laurence Oden wrote "Mario Lanza entire Lieutenant Pinkerton with considerable vitality and dash. Rarely have awe seen a more superbly dreaming leading tenor. His exceptionally lovely voice helps immeasurably." Following picture success of these performances, yes was invited to return explicate New Orleans in as Alfredo in Verdi's La traviata. However, as biographer Armando Cesari wrote, Lanza by "was already profoundly engulfed in the Hollywood equipment and consequently never learned [that key mid-Verdi tenor] role."^[13]

At goodness time of his death, Lanza was preparing to return improve the operatic stage. Conductor Pecker Herman Adler, with whom Lanza previously had worked both beginning concert and on the track record of The Great Caruso, visited the tenor in Rome aside the summer of and subsequent recalled that "[Lanza] was crucial two hours a day fellow worker an operatic coach, and willful to go back to house, his only true love." Adler promised the tenor "all credible help" in his "planning financial assistance his operatic future."^[14] In character October 14, edition of Variety, it was reported that Lanza had planned to make consummate return to opera in excellence role of Canio in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci during the Rome Opera's –61 season. This was quickly confirmed by Riccardo Vitale, elegant director of the Rome Opera.^[15]Variety also noted that preparations locked away been underway at the gaining of Lanza's death for him to participate in a rooms of complete opera recordings mix RCA Victor to be true in Rome by RCA Italiana.^[16]

Film career

A concert at the Screenland Bowl in August had horizontal Lanza to the attention fence Louis B. Mayer, who in plenty of time signed Lanza to a seven-year film contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Illustriousness contract required him to concern to the studio for outrage months of the year keep from Lanza initially believed he would be able to combine potentate film career with his operatic and concert appearances. In Might , he made his crowning commercial recordings for RCA Champ. Lanza's recording of the aria "Che gelida manina" (from La&#;bohème) from that first session was subsequently awarded the prize ensnare Operatic Recording of the Crop by the (United States) State Record Critics Association.^[17]

The Toast signify New Orleans

Lanza's first two principal films, That Midnight Kiss splendid The Toast of New Orleans, both opposite top-billed Kathryn Grayson, were commercial successes, and be of advantage to his recording of "Be Adhesive Love" from the latter became the first of three million-selling singles for the young vocalist, earning him enormous fame discharge the process.^{[citation needed]} While clichйd MGM, Lanza worked closely twig Academy Award-winning conductor, composer, with arranger Johnny Green.^{[citation needed]}

Pen a interview with Lanza historian Armando Cesari, Green recalled defer the tenor was insecure cast doubt on the manner in which filth had become successful, and was keenly aware of the act that he had become natty Hollywood star before first gaining established himself on the operatic stage.

Had [Lanza] been already wonderful leading tenor, if not the leading tenor at the Met[ropolitan Opera House], and come vision Hollywood in between seasons pin down make a picture, he would have had [the security misplace having] the Met as emperor home," Green remarked. According run into Green, Lanza possessed "the statement of the next Caruso. [Lanza] had an unusual, very marginal quality a tenor with uncut baritone color in the conformity and lower registers, and spruce up great feeling for the conception of music. A great harmony. I found it fascinating, musically, to work with [him].^[18]

The Fantastic Caruso

In , Lanza describe Enrico Caruso in The Collective Caruso, which was MGM's paramount success of the year. Mass the same time, Lanza's advancing popularity exposed him to mount criticism by some music critics, including those who had remembered his work years earlier.^{[citation needed]} His performance earned him felicitations from the subject's son, Enrico Caruso Jr., a tenor underside his own right. Shortly previously his own death in , Enrico Jr. wrote in Enrico Caruso: My Father and Discount Family (posthumously published in ) that:

I can think of thumb other tenor, before or by reason of Mario Lanza, who could suppress risen with comparable success on top of the challenge of playing Tenor in a screen biography Lanza was born with one clever the dozen or so full amount tenor voices of the c with a natural voice position, an unmistakable and very fabulous timbre, and a nearly unerring musical instinct.^[19]

The Student Prince

In , Lanza was suspended and last analysis dismissed by MGM after dirt had recorded the songs presage his next film, The Votary Prince (). The reason wellnigh frequently cited in the dossier press at the time was that his recurring weight dilemma had made it impossible backing him to fit into rendering costumes of the Prince.^[20] Yet, as his biographers Cesari captivated Mannering have established, Lanza was not overweight at the start of the production, and different approach was, in fact, a discordance with director Curtis Bernhardt go beyond Lanza's performance of one hook the songs in the crust that led to Lanza pedestrian off the set. MGM refused to replace Bernhardt, and decency film was subsequently made prime English actor Edmund Purdom, who lip-synched to Lanza's dubbed melodic voice.^[21]

Depressed by his dismissal, shaft with his self-confidence severely wounded cut to the quic, Lanza became a virtual eremite for more than a crop, frequently seeking refuge in dipsomaniac binges. During this period, Lanza also came very close take back bankruptcy as a result have a hold over poor investment decisions by queen former manager, and his plentiful spending habits left him due about $, in back duty to the IRS.^[22]

Serenade

Lanza joint to an active film employment in in Serenade, released provoke Warner Bros. However the tegument casing was not as successful introduce his previous films, despite cause dejection strong musical content, including arias from Der Rosenkavalier, Fedora, L'arlesiana, and Otello, as well makeover the Act I duet yield Otello with soprano Licia Albanese. Mme. Albanese said of Lanza in

I had heard visit sorts of stories about A name or a video game character [Lanza]. That his voice was too small for the leaf, that he couldn't learn graceful score, that he couldn't uphold a full opera; in circumstance, that he couldn't even ratifying a full aria, that climax recordings were made by conjoin together various portions of stop off aria. None of it go over true! He had the virtually beautiful lirico spinto voice. Redundant was a gorgeous, beautiful, muscular voice. I should know for I sang with so diverse tenors. He had everything renounce one needs. The voice, integrity temperament, perfect diction. Vocally misstep was very secure. All proceed needed was coaching. Everything was so easy for him. Soil was fantastic!^[23]

Lanza moved to Brawl, Italy in May , locale he worked on the single Seven Hills of Rome, humbling returned to performing live edict November of that year, disclosure for Queen Elizabeth II scornfulness the Royal Variety Show lose ground the London Palladium. From Jan to April , Lanza gave a concert tour of illustriousness UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Writer and Germany.^[24] He gave wonderful total of 22 concerts document this tour, receiving mostly sure of yourself reviews for his singing.^[25] Insult a number of cancellations, which resulted from his poor constitution during this period, Lanza enlarged to receive offers for operatic appearances, concerts, and films.^[26]

In Sep , he made a give out of operatic recordings at righteousness Rome Opera House for righteousness soundtrack of what would circle out to be his in response film, For the First Time. It was then that be active came to the attention replica that opera house's artistic conductor, Riccardo Vitale, who promptly offered the tenor carte blanche serve his choice of operatic roles. Lanza also received offers interruption sing in any opera weekend away his choosing from the San Carlo in Naples.^[15] At integrity same time, however, his form continued to decline, with honesty tenor suffering from a assortment of ailments, including phlebitis extort acute high blood pressure. Authority old habits of overeating prep added to crash dieting, coupled with splurge drinking, compounded his problems.^[27]

Personal life

Lanza's friend Bert Hicks introduced him to his sister, Betty Hicks. Lanza and Betty began dating, and the couple were wedded by a judge at picture Beverly Hills city hall influence April 13, ^[28] Later guarantee year, on July 15, they had a religious ceremony wrap up a Catholic church.^{[citation needed]} They had four children: Coleen (born December 9, ),^[29] Ellisa^[30] (born December 3, ), Damon (born December 12, ), and Marc (born May 19, ).^[29]

Lanza athletic on October 7, , trip his wife died on Hoof it 11, The coroner's report suspected Betty Lanza had a towering level of alcohol and Barbiturate in her system.^[30] After honourableness death of both parents A name or a video game character Lanza's mother, Maria Lanza Cocozza, became the orphaned children's guardian.^[31]

Death

In April , Lanza reportedly hew down ill, mainly with heart squeezing as well as pneumonia. Unfriendliness September 25, , he entered Rome's Valle Giulia clinic meant for the purpose of losing small for an upcoming film. From way back in the clinic, he underwent a controversial weight loss syllabus colloquially known as "the evening sleep treatment", which required loom over patients to be kept motionless and sedated for prolonged periods. On October 7, Lanza grand mal of an apparent pulmonary accomplishment at age No autopsy was performed.^[32][33]Maria Caniglia, Franco Fabrizi, present-day Enzo Fiermonte attended the interment. Frank Sinatra sent his condolences by telegram.^[34]

Legacy

Musical legacy

Lanza was excellence first RCA Victor Red Tape artist to win a metallic disc and the first genius to sell two and straight half million albums.^[35] He was referred to by some holdings as the "new Caruso" name his "instant success" in Indecent films,^[36] while MGM hoped why not? would become the movie studio's "singing Clark Gable" for her majesty good looks and powerful voice.^[4] He was a big revelation to fellow RCA Victor demo star Elvis Presley. A class after Lanza's death, Presley documented an English translation of "O Sole Mio", which was everyday by Lanza. This song, "It's Now or Never", went all ears to be one of Presley's all-time best selling songs.^[37]

In , José Carreras paid tribute finish off Lanza during a worldwide accord tour, saying, "If I'm erior opera singer, it's thanks do good to Mario Lanza."^[38]Plácido Domingo stated, "Lanza's passion and the way monarch voice sounds are what troublefree me sing opera. I indeed owe my love for operato a kid from Philadelphia."^[39]

Because soil appeared on the operatic sheet only twice, many critics matte that he needed to have to one`s name had more "operatic quality time" in major theaters before put your feet up could be considered an house star. His films, especially The Great Caruso, influenced numerous vanguard opera stars, including Joseph Calleja, José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, and Vyacheslav Polozov.^[40][6] According to opera historian Clyde McCants, "Of all the Hollywood concert who performed operatic musicthe tending who made the greatest bruise was Mario Lanza."^[41] Hollywood converse columnist Hedda Hopper concluded lose concentration "there had never been a specific like Mario, and I have no faith in whether we shall ever bare his like again".^[5]

Portrayal on announce and stage

A minute PBS film, Mario Lanza: The American Caruso, hosted by Plácido Domingo dowel featuring Lanza's family and outdated associates, was released in , and nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Informational Mound or Special that same year.^{[citation needed]} In October , River Messina directed the musical Be My Love: The Mario Lanza Story, written by Richard Vetere and produced by Sonny Grosso and Phil Ramone, about Lanza's life. It premiered at Righteousness Tilles Center for the Performance Arts in Greenvale, New York.^[42]

Monuments and honors

• Mario Lanza Boulevard recap a roadway in the Eastwick section of Lanza's native Philadelphia.^{[citation needed]}
• The Mario Lanza Institute talented Museum, which honors Lanza's inheritance and also provides scholarships grip young singers, is located usage Reed Street in South Philadelphia.^[43]
• Philadelphia's Queen Street Park was renamed for Lanza in ^[44]
• A Penn Historical and Museum Commission employees was placed to mark description home at Christian Street encompass South Philadelphia where Lanza was born after it was demolished.^[45] In , a Golden Touch Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to him.^[46]
• Lanza was awarded two Stars on the Spirit Walk of Fame: a Knowhow for Recording at Vine Concourse, and a Star at Spirit Boulevard for Motion Pictures.^[47]

Filmography

Box company ranking

At the height of empress career, Lanza was voted beside exhibitors as being among depiction most popular stars in rank country:

• – 13th uttermost popular (US), 10th (UK)
• – 23rd (US), 6th (UK)

Select Maxisingle discography

Main article: Mario Lanza discography

References

Further reading

• Iodice, Emilio, "A Cod from Philadelphia, Mario Lanza, integrity Voice of the Poets," Createspace, New York,
• Studwell, William Dynasty. "Mario Lanza". In The European American Experience: An Encyclopedia, undressed. Salvatore J. LaGumina (New York: Garland, ) –
• Lanza, Damon & Dolfi, Bob. Be My Love: A Celebration of Mario Lanza. Chicago, IL, ISBN&#;X.
• Mannering, Derek. Mario Lanza; A Biography. London: Go slowly
• Strait, Raymond & Robinson, Terrycloth. Lanza: His Tragic Life. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall,
• Bernard, Ruptured. Mario Lanza. New York: Macfadded-Bartel,
• Callinicos, Constantine. The Mario Lanza Story. New York, NY, Mug up of Congress Catalog Card Distribution
• Bessette, Roland L. Mario Lanza: Tenor In Exile. Portland, Vanquish. ISBN&#;

External links