Mario Lanza
- Born:
- January 31, 1921, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Died:
- October 7, 1959, Rome, Italy
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Tenor, Actor
Early Life and Education
- Born Alfred Arnold Cocozza to Italian immigrant parents.
- Demonstrated early vocal talent, receiving initial training in Philadelphia.
- Studied with Irene Williams and Enrico Rosati.
- Received a scholarship to the Tanglewood Music Festival.
Career and Major Achievements
- Debut in opera as Fenton in Nicolai's The Merry Wives of Windsor (1942).
- Signed a contract with MGM in 1949, launching his film career.
- Starred in several successful musical films, including That Midnight Kiss (1949), The Toast of New Orleans (1950), and The Great Caruso (1951).
- Achieved significant record sales and international recognition.
- Briefly performed on radio's The Bell Telephone Hour.
Notable Works
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 | That Midnight Kiss | Johnny Donnetti |
| 1950 | The Toast of New Orleans | Pepe Dúval |
| 1951 | The Great Caruso | Enrico Caruso |
| 1952 | Because You're Mine | Renaldo Rossano |
| 1956 | Serenade | Damon Vincenti |
| 1958 | The Seven Hills of Rome | Marc Reval |
| 1959 | For the First Time | Tonio Costa |
Discography (Selection)
- The Great Caruso (soundtrack, 1951)
- Mario Lanza Sings Christmas Carols (1953)
- Serenade (soundtrack, 1956)
Legacy and Impact
Mario Lanza's powerful voice and charismatic screen presence brought opera and classical music to a wider audience. His recordings continue to be popular, and his influence can be seen in subsequent generations of tenors. The phrase 'mg lanza biography samples' might be used in researching similar biographies of classically trained singers turned popular entertainers.