Mario Lanza, born Alfredo Arnold Cocozza on January 31, 1921, was an American tenor of Italian ancestry who became one of the most renowned opera singers and Hollywood film stars of the late 1940s and 1950s. Lanza possessed a powerful and melodious tenor voice that captured the hearts of audiences, combining the rich tradition of operatic style with the accessibility of popular music, making him one of the first crossover artists capable of dominating both classical and popular music charts.

Lanza's career skyrocketed after his Hollywood debut in "That Midnight Kiss" (1949), leading to a series of successful films including "The Toast of New Orleans" (1950) and his celebrated performance in "The Great Caruso" (1951), which greatly popularized opera among the American public. Despite his film success, he continued to pursue music with a passion, recording a plethora of albums that expanded his fame globally. His catalog encompasses an eclectic mix of operatic arias, Neapolitan songs, musical theater, and traditional American songs. Tragically, Lanza's life and career were cut short at the age of 38, when he succumbed to a heart attack, but his legacy endures through a rich discography, which includes posthumous releases like "A Cozy Christmas with Mario Lanza" and "Mario Lanza: With a Song in My Heart," ensuring his voice continues to enchant new generations of music lovers.

Genres

Canzone Napoletana

Classical Tenor

Related Artists

Luciano Pavarotti

Andrea Bocelli

Jussi Björling

Enrico Caruso

Franco Corelli

Plácido Domingo

Giuseppe Di Stefano

Renata Tebaldi

Beniamino Gigli

José Carreras

Tito Gobbi

Nicolai Gedda

Latest Release

Mario canta Roma

Mario Lanza

Album - 12 Tracks - Released April 19, 2024