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Biography of Mario Lanza

Mario Lanza, an American opera singer and tenor, was born on January 31, 1921, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents, Antonio Cocozza and Maria Cocozza-Lanza, were Italian immigrants. As a child, Mario showed more interest in playing and sports than in studying. His preference for sports contributed to his physical development and laid the foundation for the stamina necessary for his powerful voice. In his later years, his physical fitness helped him maintain his vocal form.

Mario grew up in a house filled with a vast collection of Enrico Caruso's records, which he listened to every day. These recordings served as his first exposure to music and singing, and he would try to sing along with them. His first vocal teacher was baritone Antonio Scarduzio, who warned him about straining his voice and taught him the basics of vocal technique. However, Mario never fully grasped the concept of music theory. He worked with Scarduzio for eight months before studying with Irene Williams, who not only gave him voice lessons but also arranged performances for him at various public events.

Financial struggles hindered Mario's education, but William C. Huff, a concert manager at the Philadelphia Music Academy, provided assistance. He arranged for Mario to audition with Sergei Koussevitzky, who was impressed by Mario's voice and invited him to study at Tanglwood, a school for aspiring singers and musicians in the Berkshires. Mario moved there and dedicated himself to his studies, culminating in his performance as Fenton in a school production of Nicolai's "The Merry Wives of Windsor." The role was not significant for a tenor, but it showcased his abilities and garnered positive reviews.

In 1942, Mario joined the United States Army and served as a corporal at the Marfa Army Airfield in Texas. During his service, he auditioned for Peter Lind Hayes, who included him in a concert troupe performing on military bases across the country. Mario also appeared in Moss Hart's patriotic show, "Winged Victory," until May 1944 when he was demobilized. After leaving the military, Mario moved to New York with his army friend Bert Hicks to meet Bert's sister, Betty. They fell in love and got married on April 13, 1945.

Mario's career took off when he caught the attention of Robert Weede, a baritone who organized a radio show for the ABC Celanese Hour. Mario's talent shone through, and he was later selected to host the radio series "Great Moments in Music." He received vocal training from Polly Robinson and Sam Weiler, who became his first manager. Weiler arranged for him to audition with Enrico Rosati, a vocal teacher who had previously trained the renowned tenor Beniamino Gigli. Rosati was impressed by Mario's voice and agreed to instruct him. Mario studied under Rosati for 15 months, despite occasional conflicts due to his aversion to studying. He was grateful to Rosati for the invaluable knowledge and skills he imparted.

Mario embarked on concert tours, including one in Canada with soprano Agnes Davis from October 1945 to November 1946. He performed in various cities across the United States, Canada, Newfoundland, and Mexico as part of the "Belle Canto Trio" alongside Francis Yeend and George London. The trio gained significant attention during their performances.

In 1947, Mario made his professional opera debut as Pinkerton in Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" at the New Orleans Opera. Critics praised his exceptional talent and beautiful voice. However, this would be his only full-scale opera performance. His burgeoning film career led him down a different path.

Mario signed a seven-year contract with MGM studios after the success of his films "That Midnight Kiss" and "The Toast of New Orleans." He became a superstar with the release of the film "The Great Caruso," in which he portrayed legendary tenor Enrico Caruso. The film's soundtrack became a huge success, and Mario embarked on a concert tour titled "The Great Caruso," accompanied by his concertmaster, Constantine Callinicos. The tour sold out quickly, and Mario's popularity soared.

During this time, he hosted the radio show "The Mario Lanza Show" sponsored by Coca-Cola. The show showcased his versatility as he performed a wide range of songs, from popular music to opera arias. It aired from June 26, 1951, to August 22, 1952, and solidified his status as a multi-talented performer.

Mario's film career continued with "Because You're Mine," though he expressed dissatisfaction with the film. Despite his reservations, the film included several popular songs that became hits, such as the title song and "Granada."

In 1952, production resumed on the film "The Student Prince" after a hiatus. Mario recorded the film's soundtrack flawlessly, showcasing his vocal control and phrasing. However, he faced difficulties on set due to disagreements with the director. The film's release was followed by negative press, reflecting Mario's public criticism of the film. Despite this, the film's soundtrack was a success, and songs like "Serenade" and "The Drinking Song" became signature numbers for Mario.

Mario's film career continued with "Because You're Mine" and subsequent films. However, his personal struggles and clashes with the studio hindered his success. He left MGM in 1957 and struggled to regain his previous level of fame.

Mario Lanza remains an iconic figure in the world of music and film. His powerful voice and charismatic performances continue to captivate audiences to this day.