Mario Lanza
from WikiMusicGuide, the free music guide. Your music wiki.
Mario Lanza was an American tenor and Hollywood movie star who enjoyed success in the late 1940s and 1950s. He was besieged on cross-country concert tours and appearances years before Elvis and the Beatles, a true 'superstar' before the word was invented and the first singer to ever earn Gold Records with million sellers in both classical and popular categories. One of his most notable hit was, "Because You're Mine
Contents |
About
Mario Lanza or "Alfredo Arnold Cocozza" in real life was born on January 31, 1921 at Philadelphia, Pennysylvania. At a very young age, he gained an interest in opera singing by listening and singing along at home with the songs of Enrico Caruso and other famous tenors.
From the age of 15, Mario studied singing with several teachers, and was introduced into society circles with the object of gaining a patron. Freddie was fortunate to receive an audition from a famous singer, Sergey Koussewinzk. Sergey so much liked what he heard from the 15-year-old youth that he took Freddie to the Tanglewood Music Center. He was signed to Columbia Artistes Management as a concert singer, but their plans to send him on an introductory tour were quashed when he was drafted into the US Army in 1943.
He was soon singing to new audiences, this time in a soldier's uniform. Before being released in 1945, he had appeared in two Army productions, "On The Beam" and "Winged Victory". After his discharge, Mario spent more than a year in serious study with Enrico Rosati, the former vocal teacher of the great golden age tenor Beniamino Gigli. He began making concert tours under a new manager, Sam Weiler.
While performing at the Hollywood Bowl, Louis B. Mayer, head of MGM Studios, was in the audience and marveled at the voice and the stage presence of Mario. Soon afterwards Hungarian producer Joe Pasternak, signed Mario to a seven-year MGM contract. His first motion picture "That Midnight Kiss" was released in 1949 and was a smash hit making Mario Lanza a screen star overnight. His next picture is "Toast of New Orleans" in 1950.
Mario crossed paths with fate and destiny in 1951 when he starred as his childhood idol, Enrico Caruso, in "The Great Caruso". The movie was the top-grossing film in the world in 1951. It was followed by "Because You're Mine" and became Lanza's third, and last, million-selling single.
He had already recorded the songs for his next MGM project, "The Student Prince", when he walked out on the studio following a disagreement with the director. He avoided damaging breach of contract lawsuits by allowing MGM to retain the rights to his recordings for the film. British actor Edmund Purdom took his place, miming to Mario's singing voice.
He continued his movie career coupled with tremendous sold-out crowds for his worldwide concerts. What occurred over the next few years was phenomenal; several successful movies and recorded albums made Mario the first star who had gold records in both the classical and popular music fields.
During the early days of October 1959, Mario experienced excruciating pain in his left leg. Tests in a clinic revealed advanced phlebitis. He died on October 7, 1959 because of drug overdose.
A rarity, in that he was a best-selling classical artist, Mario Lanza's many recordings on RCA Victor Red Seal, most notably "Be My Love", the "Great Caruso" soundtrack album and "Christmas Hymns and Carols" were top-sellers at the time and have continued to enjoy good, consistent sales, this more than four decades after his premature death.
Awards & Certifications
Chart Toppers
| Year | Pop Albums | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | 9 | Serenade |
| 1958 | 7 | Seven Hills of Rome |
| 1960 | 4 | Mario Lanza Sings Caruso Favorites |
News
Tours & Concerts
There are no current tour and concert schedules for Mario Lanza.
Announcements
There are no announcements as of this time
Discography
Albums
 |
 |
 |
 |
Singles
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Silent Night | SMG |
Compilations & Live Releases
| Date | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Double Feature | RCA |
| 1959 | The Great Caruso | RCA |
| 1964 | Christmas Hymns and Carols | Special Music |
| 1964 | The Best of Mario Lanza | RCA |
| 1976 | Legendary Performer | RCA Victor |
| 1980 | Mario Lanza on Radio | CMDR |
| 1987 | Legendary Tenor | RCA |
| 1989 | Obras Caruso | Sony BMG |
| 1989 | El Principe Estudiante | Sony BMG |
| 1991 | Be My Love | RCA |
| 1991 | 20 Famous Songs | Huub |
| 1991 | Historical Recordings 1949-1959 | Huub |
| 1991 | The Mario Lanza Collection | RCA |
| 1992 | Christmas With Mario Lanza | RCA |
| 1993 | Be My Love | Ronco |
| 1993 | Collection | Castle |
| 1994 | Live From London | BMG Classics |
| 1995 | At His Best | BMG Classics |
| 1995 | Live | A Touch of Magic |
| 1995 | Sixteen Most Requested | Castle |
| 1995 | Greatest Hits | RCA |
| 1995 | Magic of Mario Lanza | RCA Victor |
| 1995 | The Virtuoso Collection | Newsound |
| 1995 | Without A Song | Sound and Music |
| 1996 | The Love Collection | Start |
| 1997 | Love Songs by Mario Lanza | Ranwood |
| 1997 | Encore | BMG Special Products |
| 1998 | Famous Classical Highlights | TNC |
| 1998 | Mario Lanza Sings Christmas Carols | RCA |
| 1999 | Arias and Duets | RCA |
| 1999 | Classic Performances | Castle Communications |
| 1999 | Ultimate Collection | BMG International |
| 1999 | Artists of The Century | RCA |
| 2000 | Live with The Ray Sinatra Orchestra | A Touch of Magic |
| 2000 | At His Best-Granada | Casle |
| 2000 | Best of Mario Lanza | BMG International |
| 2000 | Live at Hollywood Bowl:Historical Recordings | Gala |
| 2001 | My Romance | RCA |
| 2001 | Ultimate Legends | Ultimate Music Collection |
| 2002 | My Song, My Love | Cocktail Hour |
| 2002 | Great Caruso | Soundtrack Factory |
| 2002 | Tenor's Christmas | BMG Special Products |
| 2002 | Sings Light Opera | Music Digital |
| 2002 | Mario Lanza Sings Songs From His Movies | IMC Music |
| 2002 | Santa Lucia | Delta |
| 2002 | Joy To The World | Planet Media |
| 2002 | Legendary | BMG International |
| 2003 | The Mario Lanza Christmas Album | Naxos Nostalgia |
| 2004 | 27 Romantic Songs | Excellence De Luxe |
| 2004 | A Proper Introduction To Mario Lanza:Be My... | Proper |
| 2004 | Essential Gold | Dynamic Entertainment |
| 2004 | Inroducing Mario Lanza | Naxos Nostalgia |
| 2004 | Christmas Songs | Christmas Legends |
| 2004 | Legends | Songs of Christmas |
| 2004 | Fabulous Voice of Mario Lanza | Castle Pulse |
| 2004 | Mario Lanza in Concert | Music Digital |
| 2005 | The Classics Of | Air |
| 2005 | My Song, My Love: A Classic Collection | Recall |
| 2005 | The Golden Voice | Creative Sounds |
| 2006 | Solid Gold Collection | Union Square |
| 2006 | The Essential Collection | MCI |
| 2006 | The Mario Lanza Christmas Collection | K-tel |
| 2007 | The Essential Mario Lanza | RCA Red Seal |
| 2007 | Tenor Extraordinaire | Golden Stars |
| 2007 | On Radio | Radiola |
Other artists
Similar artists
Contemporaries
Trivia
- Mario took his stage name from the masculine version of his mother's maiden name, Maria Lanza.
