The ironic thing about the issue of Lanza's voice size is that Carlo Bergonzi - the legit opera singer - actually did have a rather small voice. He became famous from his records and performances in Europe where the halls are smaller. But there are clues. Bergonzi always lacked ring (squillo) on his high notes. They sound loud on records but a little hollow. In the theater Bergonzi's top was quite weak. Lanza's top however had what the Italians call raccolto - the sound was gathered up.
Witch Ann Cappelletti, the sorceror of So. Philadelphia, 1/2 sister of Barbara Bush, witch daughters of Aleister Crowley, killed Mario's wife with a voodoo doll. No doubt she killed Mario because she wanted him and he didn't want her. I will post more when I learn it.
He sings this performance much slower than the studio version, and to no ill effect either. There are other subtle differences also. This is unquestionably a superb LIVE performance. And somebody please explain to whoever needs it explained that a small voice that sounds big IS BIG!!!
Lanza recorded 2 studio versions of this song, one for the Coca Cola shows(no chorus backing), the other for the Vagabond King album in 1959(soprano duet) - neither sounding remotely like this!
Lanza had a small voice?!? Good god the man just about on his death bed electrified Albert Hall with I believe no amplification. His early Hollywood Bowl performances blew socks off - his "Un di all'azzuro spazio" about as heart stopping passionate as any were or will be. I've never heard that criticism - rather I heard he was always too loud. When he was on he was on - one of the best!
Thirty or forty years ago all the cognoscenti said that Lanza had a small voice that only sounded big on records. Lanza was popular with the masses so those who wanted to contrast their opinions and separate themselves from the crowd claimed that the real Lanza, the live Lanza had a tiny voice. Nonsense, of course.
Thanks for reply - I forgot to add though I never saw him live I had fortune of knowing someone who did. And he had a reel-to-reel "home" recording of part of the concert. He and his wife played it for us young troops after much wine. The others never embraced this type of music really. I was spell-bound BUT so were they! A tiny voice comment would have been laughable to us so was not a comment thought of - but I am sure the owner of the tape would have thought such plain crazy.
no that has nothing to do with it. Obviously he gives me pride and courage, since i am a classical singer myself. But I believe that Oreste did make a better job of it. I mean, Lanza has powerful 'dense' voice, however oreste has a powerful light voice with technique
Please. Your Maltesefervour is getting the bestter of you and clouding your judgement! No doubt when Calleja sings it you would prefer his version too.
Sorry dear but he was not lipsyncing on the second "Shower Of Stars", the producers of this program mad him do this in the first program(he did not want to) and they then let him take the blame when found out(they said nothing) so for the second show they let him sing live and this was his answer to the critics and what an answer it was.
@Agorante Can I mention two things that people tend to forgot:
Older programs (even a satellite feed today) had trouble syncing -- getting the picture to match the audio exactly. It gives the illusion of lipsyncing because the sound is a touch ahead or behind the picture.
To see if someone is singing live, look at the breathing, and the throat muscles -- you can't fake that!
As for the orchestra's "absence" -- I guess the conductor took a bow for standing in front of a turn-table.
@AgoranteCan I mention two things that people tend to forget:
Older programs (even a satellite feed today) had trouble syncing -- getting the picture to match the audio exactly. It gives the illusion of lipsyncing because the sound is a touch ahead or behind the picture.
To see if someone is singing live, look at the breathing, and the throat muscles -- you can't fake that!
As for the orchestra's "absence" -- I guess the conductor took a bow for standing in front of a turn-table.
This is MORE than amazing. Irrespective of whether or not the cognescenti think Lanza to be an inferior Operatic Tenor or not, this is amongst the most exquisite voices to have ever graced an auditorium, period. His passion and beauty of legato are incomparable, and his contribution to the Operatic world served to induce more to appreciate this fine art, as Pavarotti did later in the century. A true giant, for all times.
I was lucky to see Mario perform arias, ballads and, of course, 'Be My love' at a recital he gave in Manchester - I think in 1959. He came on stage with the aid of a walking stick,made necessary, as he explained, due to painful phlebitis. He was charming, chatting with members of the audience lucky enough to be sitting near the stage, and sang beautifully. I asked on a previous YT site if anyone else remembers that recital - no reply yet. Sadly Mario died in Italy soon afterwards..
According to "Mario Lanza: Singing to the Gods", the Manchester recital was on March 6, 1958. There is a CD of his Albert Hall performance from January 16 of that year. These concerts were part of his final tour which concluded in Germany in April.
i have the complete discography of Mario Lanza, films, documentaries, concerts in spain, argentina, chile, peru, etc., in TV presentations, , interested write to me
Even his speaking voice is beautiful, not just the timbre, each word is exceptionally well articulated, the same with his singing as this video fully testifies both. That because he was either extremely careful perfecting to extreme his phrasing and diction or because he was born with that extraordinary gift and simply let it out. Whichever the case what we see here is an awful lot of professionalism and a total delivery to his work.
Thanks Gemini for your reply and you are absolutely right, no other singing voice had such exquisite beauty in its timbre. And congratulations for your favorites.
It´s amazing. Every time I listen to this recording I like it more. Mario´s sensitivity cannot be compared to any other´s. He is himself, singing his soul out. What do we care if he did not sing only opera? He was just a miracle.
Lanza was in some ways lke Pavarotti - both became to popular to actually appear on an opera stage. Lanza was on the brink of a big opera career wehen Hollywood snatched him up. Pavarotti switched over to concerts and then stadium concerts from conventional opera appearances. In Europe an opera house averages 2,300 seats. In America about 3,700. Pavarotti sang in stadiums with tens of thousands of seats. Lanza sang in movies that played to millions.
Dore Schary, who was running MGM, didn't care for Lanza's musicals {he preferred more "realistic" films; when Esther Williams refused to appear in "The Opposite Sex" (1956) as he planned- June Allyson inherited her role- Esther vanished from the studio as well}; the incident during "The Student Prince" was the "contract breaker" Schary was looking for. However, he HAD to sign an "opera star" for the studio, and Oreste was his choice...but he KNEW Kirkop wasn't "star material"...
Only being one when Mario died I have over the past years began to appresiate this mans tallent. His range and being able to swith from ballard to opera is only possible by a few in the world today like Domingo or the late pavaroti, but Mario seems to have passion in the way he sings the songs. The only unfortunate thing is that I did not see him live and we only have these very few old recording of this master at work
No need to fret. Almost no one saw Lanza live. He didn't sing on opera house stages. He only sang a few concerts and he died young. OTH he left a great many movies and records.
He was always beleaguered by impresarios wanting to put him on their opera stage. But like Corelli and Ponsell he had stage fright.
A lot of self proclaimed experts think Lanza had a small voice. Humbug!
I have a home recording of him singing Un Di All'azzurro spazio, he did not have a small voice. With the poor recording equipment, his voice nearly overwhelms it. Wonderful recording. :)
Lanza sang with Francis Yeend and George London in "The Bell Canto Trio". London of course was one of the two or three best heldenbaritones of the twentieth century. He had a real big voice. I heard London in a 6,000 seat hall. Mario didn't seem to have any trouble standing up to him.
Francis Yeend also had a big voice. She was famous as Turandot. She was not a little bird soprano like Kathern Grayson with whom he was so often paired in films.
Mr. Mario Lanza; incredible talent! Truly a musical legend with an unbeatable personality and charisma. No one will ever come close to capturing his diverse abilities. He set the benchmark, and paved the way for others to follow. Training your voice to his library of works will definitely develop a very secure technique you can depend on. Practicing to his clean diction provides foundation for power, brilliance, and ring. His music will always stand the test of time! God Bless him! and his Fans!
He had a Big,Powerful,Beautiful one of a kind singing voice that could not be duplicated by no other opera or pop singer before him, and definitely no other after him. Listen carefully here his sweet singing during this neglected song. To me, you can hear how Elvis' singing from the early 60's was so much shaped by Mario's sweet singing. Thanks for the posting. What a revenge!
I agree Chris, thanks for your message. He is (such a voice never dies) the greatest tenor of all times and in tone perfection and range the biggest singing voice the world will ever know.
When Lanza sung at the Chicago Grant Park(summer 1947), a 50.000 people audience was present. The critics were enthusiastic:"Lanza was born to sing" all agreed. The next night the audience reached 70.000 people in spite of rain. For 1947 this was something unbelivable and tells us something of how incredible he must have sounded live.
Just Beautiful. This song is also beautiful sung as a duet. Nelson Eddy sang it as a duet with Nadine Connor in 1947 and Dorothy kirsten in 1948 on his Kraft Music Hall Radio show. Thanks for sharing with Us, Lorraine
I forgot about his singing of this song, and remembered the goosebumps I would get when he sang it. Those goosebumps are still there. What a shame he died so, so young.
Thanks for posting this one. I probably haven't heard that song in oh, 40 years, but I remembered it nearly word-for-word from when I was a little girl, listening to my father's records. He stays with you....
This is in reply to Agorante and Madisonelectronic--if you don't care for the hand gestures, just close your eyes or walk out of the room, turn up the volume and just enjoy the pure magic and power of the greatest American tenor.
Please do not try to belittle Oreste Chircop. He was a very good opera singer. In fact for quite some time he was the leading male singer at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and for more than 12 years toured North and South America, appearing at the leading Opera Theaters. He was the only star to obtain a contract to appear in films of his choice and even to go out on leave whenever he felt like it. He applied this clause when he was offered films which he felt where not to his liking.
Watch, Listen, and Learn! Here is one of the Greatest, if not, the Greatest Tenor voice you'll ever hear. What you see is true natural emotion and passion in the 'Art' of song. He's not waving his hands, the ' Master ' is interpreting through his inner soul, and allowing us to see and share in his vulnerableness as a performer. But you already knew that, didn't you. Of course you did.
A pity there is no recorded legacy - although there is a Maltese CD which includes the final Tosca Duet with Dorothy Kirsten recorded at the Hollywood Bowl - quite stunning. He was something of a home-sweet-homer who was unhappy away from his family in Malta, returning there far too soon. We deserved to have had more from him.
Absolutely amazing singing. One of my favourite songs to this day. I saw the 'Vagabond King" with Oreste and I am sorry to say it was utterly awful. No wonder he was never heard from again. I also disagree with Ivanhoe2 that Lanza wasted his life singing in the movies instead of in the opera houses around the world. He reached a far greater audience with his movies, radio shows and tv appearances than he would ever have done singing for rich socialites and critics in some stuffy opera house.
I don't like the way Oreste Kirkop is spoken of slightingly. He was a splendid singer and a "bona fide" opera singer. He had the guts to get out there and appear in opera regularly. He was also an admirer of Lanza, as were many of the leading singers of the day, No one with knowledge questions Lanza's great gift,,,just the way in which it was used. Even his his short life,he had the ability and the opportunity to do so much more.
This song is just make me chill.Mario he is amazing, my ever favourite,he died so young and could not acheive as much as the others but he made millions of people love operatic music.This is his main acheivement.
I disagree, even in death Lanza has remained on top of the greatest tenors of all time, and at least we have him on disc and video to cherish forever!
What a unbelievable vocal instrument. He is so amazing and so far beyond anything I have ever heard as an American. Now I now why my parents got married. For real!!! WOW excuse me. But that's the real thing.
In January 1958 Lanza sang two concerts in the Royal Albert Hall, London. I was fortunate to attend both. His voice was large and rich and sounded better than on recordings. No amplification was used and the first concert was recorded. I have read that both Dame Joan Sutherland and the great tenor Nicolai Gedda were in the audience.
The best "Someday" ever , no one remember Oreste's vagabong king film but Mario's Vagabong King "At his best" you can still buy it at Amazon or any other music store.
I appreciate this video, especially because my cassett featuring "Someday" broke and I haven't yet replaced it. Hopefully someone will post his version of "Song of India" soon.
A misguided soul,,with one of the greatest natural vocal talents ever, according to many leading singers of the day. He had the voice, looks and charisma and sadly squandered those great gifts in comparison to what other less talented artists achieved. He had a big, powerful and rich voice. I heard him twice live in the vast Royal Albert Hall, London.
Lucky you you saw the real Mario Lanza. I don't think he squandered his amazing talent, otherwise we would't have those amazing songs he left us. CLassic you mean, Oh forget about that, maybe in classical music a few people would've know him other thant the connossieurs.
I share your opinion, both about his exceptional voice and about his having thrown away his chances of becoming the world's best tenor ever. He also had passion and it is a quality which, in my opinion, even Pavarotti lacked. As for Oreste, he was a misfit in Hollywood and couldn't put his heart into the film. In fact, he returned to his native Malta after completing the film, to live as a simple citizen.
Hoomi19 - This is actually sung - not mimed. This was his first public appearance singing live after that one TV show where he did mime to his record.
The ironic thing about the issue of Lanza's voice size is that Carlo Bergonzi - the legit opera singer - actually did have a rather small voice. He became famous from his records and performances in Europe where the halls are smaller. But there are clues. Bergonzi always lacked ring (squillo) on his high notes. They sound loud on records but a little hollow. In the theater Bergonzi's top was quite weak. Lanza's top however had what the Italians call raccolto - the sound was gathered up.
Agorante 2 months ago
Oreste is the Best !!!
234NOVA 6 months ago
These singers are like Christmas gifts. Different and exquisit. Lets leave it at that, and thank God for these thy gifts.
John Grima
MrJgrima 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Witch Ann Cappelletti, the sorceror of So. Philadelphia, 1/2 sister of Barbara Bush, witch daughters of Aleister Crowley, killed Mario's wife with a voodoo doll. No doubt she killed Mario because she wanted him and he didn't want her. I will post more when I learn it.
074August 1 year ago
He sings this performance much slower than the studio version, and to no ill effect either. There are other subtle differences also. This is unquestionably a superb LIVE performance. And somebody please explain to whoever needs it explained that a small voice that sounds big IS BIG!!!
Mikey51510 1 year ago 2
Looks he is dubbing!
listeningtoit 1 year ago
And these were the voices who sang LIGHT music!!
Times have changed!!
pepeelsordo 1 year ago
Lanza recorded 2 studio versions of this song, one for the Coca Cola shows(no chorus backing), the other for the Vagabond King album in 1959(soprano duet) - neither sounding remotely like this!
This is live and by far his best version!
nomorewoe 2 years ago 2
Lanza had a small voice?!? Good god the man just about on his death bed electrified Albert Hall with I believe no amplification. His early Hollywood Bowl performances blew socks off - his "Un di all'azzuro spazio" about as heart stopping passionate as any were or will be. I've never heard that criticism - rather I heard he was always too loud. When he was on he was on - one of the best!
baccala12 2 years ago 14
@baccala12
Thirty or forty years ago all the cognoscenti said that Lanza had a small voice that only sounded big on records. Lanza was popular with the masses so those who wanted to contrast their opinions and separate themselves from the crowd claimed that the real Lanza, the live Lanza had a tiny voice. Nonsense, of course.
Agorante 2 years ago 5
Thanks for reply - I forgot to add though I never saw him live I had fortune of knowing someone who did. And he had a reel-to-reel "home" recording of part of the concert. He and his wife played it for us young troops after much wine. The others never embraced this type of music really. I was spell-bound BUT so were they! A tiny voice comment would have been laughable to us so was not a comment thought of - but I am sure the owner of the tape would have thought such plain crazy.
baccala12 2 years ago
hes in love
IsrealFloresto 2 years ago
i prefer oreste's interpretation im sorry
TombstonedM 2 years ago
@TombstonedM
Oreste Kirkop was the most famous tenor to come from Malta. I notice that you are from Malta. Must be a coincidence.
Agorante 2 years ago 2
no that has nothing to do with it. Obviously he gives me pride and courage, since i am a classical singer myself. But I believe that Oreste did make a better job of it. I mean, Lanza has powerful 'dense' voice, however oreste has a powerful light voice with technique
TombstonedM 2 years ago
@TombstonedM
Please. Your Maltesefervour is getting the bestter of you and clouding your judgement! No doubt when Calleja sings it you would prefer his version too.
DRSYNSCARECROW 1 year ago
@Agorante am from Malta too. infact am related to Oreste :) I would have loved to meet him in person before he passed away. Bless him!
DigiCosmicAngel 1 year ago
@DigiCosmicAngel
Rejoice! Joseph Calleja is from Malta too. HE may be the best tenor of the current generation.
Agorante 1 year ago
@Agorante SO LISTEN TO YOUR ORESTE! AND SHUT UP
greenislandl 2 months ago in playlist Mario Lanza
I believe he was indeed lipsyncing. An orchestra is heard but none is seen.
Agorante 2 years ago
Sorry dear but he was not lipsyncing on the second "Shower Of Stars", the producers of this program mad him do this in the first program(he did not want to) and they then let him take the blame when found out(they said nothing) so for the second show they let him sing live and this was his answer to the critics and what an answer it was.
fricka31 2 years ago 14
@Agorante Can I mention two things that people tend to forgot:
Older programs (even a satellite feed today) had trouble syncing -- getting the picture to match the audio exactly. It gives the illusion of lipsyncing because the sound is a touch ahead or behind the picture.
To see if someone is singing live, look at the breathing, and the throat muscles -- you can't fake that!
As for the orchestra's "absence" -- I guess the conductor took a bow for standing in front of a turn-table.
merlelevy1955 1 year ago
@AgoranteCan I mention two things that people tend to forget:
Older programs (even a satellite feed today) had trouble syncing -- getting the picture to match the audio exactly. It gives the illusion of lipsyncing because the sound is a touch ahead or behind the picture.
To see if someone is singing live, look at the breathing, and the throat muscles -- you can't fake that!
As for the orchestra's "absence" -- I guess the conductor took a bow for standing in front of a turn-table.
merlelevy1955 1 year ago
Lovely, brings a lump to my throat.
annrlean 2 years ago
This is MORE than amazing. Irrespective of whether or not the cognescenti think Lanza to be an inferior Operatic Tenor or not, this is amongst the most exquisite voices to have ever graced an auditorium, period. His passion and beauty of legato are incomparable, and his contribution to the Operatic world served to induce more to appreciate this fine art, as Pavarotti did later in the century. A true giant, for all times.
DRSYNSCARECROW 2 years ago 17
You got it,
Agorante 2 years ago
I was lucky to see Mario perform arias, ballads and, of course, 'Be My love' at a recital he gave in Manchester - I think in 1959. He came on stage with the aid of a walking stick,made necessary, as he explained, due to painful phlebitis. He was charming, chatting with members of the audience lucky enough to be sitting near the stage, and sang beautifully. I asked on a previous YT site if anyone else remembers that recital - no reply yet. Sadly Mario died in Italy soon afterwards..
pavlova1959 2 years ago 2
How lucky you were to be able to have seen him in person! Thank you for your experience.
castalia60 2 years ago
According to "Mario Lanza: Singing to the Gods", the Manchester recital was on March 6, 1958. There is a CD of his Albert Hall performance from January 16 of that year. These concerts were part of his final tour which concluded in Germany in April.
Wolverine1925 2 years ago
¿Alguien conoce la letra de la canción Someday?
Que nos haga favor de compartirla.
El sentimiento que despliega en esta interpretación es fenomenal.
He escuchado otras dos versiones con el mismo Mario Lanza, pero no con el sentimiento que desborda en esta ocación. Se opaca a sí mismo.
Estaba inspiradísismo.
yakartas2222 2 years ago
the voice of the 20th century
garystokefc 2 years ago 5
i have the complete discography of Mario Lanza, films, documentaries, concerts in spain, argentina, chile, peru, etc., in TV presentations, , interested write to me
elguerrero50 2 years ago
Very interested in finding out more about mario lanza. I was raised on him and I am a tenor myself but not in his league.
antaine12 2 years ago
Few are.
Agorante 2 years ago
I have loved his voice since I was 9 yrs old and I never tire of hearing him, definately the best tenor ever
CATHANNMIKE 2 years ago
Even his speaking voice is beautiful, not just the timbre, each word is exceptionally well articulated, the same with his singing as this video fully testifies both. That because he was either extremely careful perfecting to extreme his phrasing and diction or because he was born with that extraordinary gift and simply let it out. Whichever the case what we see here is an awful lot of professionalism and a total delivery to his work.
pianist527 3 years ago 8
What a man ,and what a magnificent voice.
Joanexcite70 3 years ago 5
Thanks Gemini for your reply and you are absolutely right, no other singing voice had such exquisite beauty in its timbre. And congratulations for your favorites.
pianist527 3 years ago 2
It´s amazing. Every time I listen to this recording I like it more. Mario´s sensitivity cannot be compared to any other´s. He is himself, singing his soul out. What do we care if he did not sing only opera? He was just a miracle.
megacallas 3 years ago 5
Lanza was in some ways lke Pavarotti - both became to popular to actually appear on an opera stage. Lanza was on the brink of a big opera career wehen Hollywood snatched him up. Pavarotti switched over to concerts and then stadium concerts from conventional opera appearances. In Europe an opera house averages 2,300 seats. In America about 3,700. Pavarotti sang in stadiums with tens of thousands of seats. Lanza sang in movies that played to millions.
Agorante 3 years ago
Dore Schary, who was running MGM, didn't care for Lanza's musicals {he preferred more "realistic" films; when Esther Williams refused to appear in "The Opposite Sex" (1956) as he planned- June Allyson inherited her role- Esther vanished from the studio as well}; the incident during "The Student Prince" was the "contract breaker" Schary was looking for. However, he HAD to sign an "opera star" for the studio, and Oreste was his choice...but he KNEW Kirkop wasn't "star material"...
fromthesidelines 3 years ago
Only being one when Mario died I have over the past years began to appresiate this mans tallent. His range and being able to swith from ballard to opera is only possible by a few in the world today like Domingo or the late pavaroti, but Mario seems to have passion in the way he sings the songs. The only unfortunate thing is that I did not see him live and we only have these very few old recording of this master at work
hollyandtheivybhx 3 years ago 3
No need to fret. Almost no one saw Lanza live. He didn't sing on opera house stages. He only sang a few concerts and he died young. OTH he left a great many movies and records.
He was always beleaguered by impresarios wanting to put him on their opera stage. But like Corelli and Ponsell he had stage fright.
A lot of self proclaimed experts think Lanza had a small voice. Humbug!
Agorante 3 years ago
I have a home recording of him singing Un Di All'azzurro spazio, he did not have a small voice. With the poor recording equipment, his voice nearly overwhelms it. Wonderful recording. :)
Yoni89 3 years ago 2
Lanza sang with Francis Yeend and George London in "The Bell Canto Trio". London of course was one of the two or three best heldenbaritones of the twentieth century. He had a real big voice. I heard London in a 6,000 seat hall. Mario didn't seem to have any trouble standing up to him.
It is a myth that Lanza had a small voice.
Agorante 3 years ago
Francis Yeend also had a big voice. She was famous as Turandot. She was not a little bird soprano like Kathern Grayson with whom he was so often paired in films.
Agorante 2 years ago
Mr. Mario Lanza; incredible talent! Truly a musical legend with an unbeatable personality and charisma. No one will ever come close to capturing his diverse abilities. He set the benchmark, and paved the way for others to follow. Training your voice to his library of works will definitely develop a very secure technique you can depend on. Practicing to his clean diction provides foundation for power, brilliance, and ring. His music will always stand the test of time! God Bless him! and his Fans!
Arythmnmaker1 3 years ago 2
He had a Big,Powerful,Beautiful one of a kind singing voice that could not be duplicated by no other opera or pop singer before him, and definitely no other after him. Listen carefully here his sweet singing during this neglected song. To me, you can hear how Elvis' singing from the early 60's was so much shaped by Mario's sweet singing. Thanks for the posting. What a revenge!
sherom 3 years ago 2
I agree Chris, thanks for your message. He is (such a voice never dies) the greatest tenor of all times and in tone perfection and range the biggest singing voice the world will ever know.
pianist527 3 years ago 2
The most beautiful tenor voice there ever was Thank you for this video
pianist527 3 years ago 6
When Lanza sung at the Chicago Grant Park(summer 1947), a 50.000 people audience was present. The critics were enthusiastic:"Lanza was born to sing" all agreed. The next night the audience reached 70.000 people in spite of rain. For 1947 this was something unbelivable and tells us something of how incredible he must have sounded live.
chris99103 3 years ago 2
Just Beautiful. This song is also beautiful sung as a duet. Nelson Eddy sang it as a duet with Nadine Connor in 1947 and Dorothy kirsten in 1948 on his Kraft Music Hall Radio show. Thanks for sharing with Us, Lorraine
Gemini730 3 years ago
My God!What a sensational talent!! Just unreal!!!!!
44skins 3 years ago 4
Before Elvis, there was Mario.
trampp12 3 years ago 2
I forgot about his singing of this song, and remembered the goosebumps I would get when he sang it. Those goosebumps are still there. What a shame he died so, so young.
eljimbo42 3 years ago 3
Well, I hope you learned your lesson. Now, go stand in the corner.
barryoderfer 3 years ago
This is odd. I post a video of Lanza in which I praise him fulsomely and then I am attacked and lectured by Lanza fans. Huh?
Agorante 3 years ago
A good deed never goes unpunished....
Thanks for posting this one. I probably haven't heard that song in oh, 40 years, but I remembered it nearly word-for-word from when I was a little girl, listening to my father's records. He stays with you....
conssrtfan 3 years ago
This is in reply to Agorante and Madisonelectronic--if you don't care for the hand gestures, just close your eyes or walk out of the room, turn up the volume and just enjoy the pure magic and power of the greatest American tenor.
barryoderfer 3 years ago 5
Please do not try to belittle Oreste Chircop. He was a very good opera singer. In fact for quite some time he was the leading male singer at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and for more than 12 years toured North and South America, appearing at the leading Opera Theaters. He was the only star to obtain a contract to appear in films of his choice and even to go out on leave whenever he felt like it. He applied this clause when he was offered films which he felt where not to his liking.
boccukbir 3 years ago
It is a miracle Lanza did not poke an eye out waving his arms around.
madisonelectronic 3 years ago
If he had poked out his eyes he could have been Bocceli.
Agorante 3 years ago
Watch, Listen, and Learn! Here is one of the Greatest, if not, the Greatest Tenor voice you'll ever hear. What you see is true natural emotion and passion in the 'Art' of song. He's not waving his hands, the ' Master ' is interpreting through his inner soul, and allowing us to see and share in his vulnerableness as a performer. But you already knew that, didn't you. Of course you did.
Arythmnmaker1 3 years ago 4
A pity there is no recorded legacy - although there is a Maltese CD which includes the final Tosca Duet with Dorothy Kirsten recorded at the Hollywood Bowl - quite stunning. He was something of a home-sweet-homer who was unhappy away from his family in Malta, returning there far too soon. We deserved to have had more from him.
nbatterby 4 years ago
Absolutely amazing singing. One of my favourite songs to this day. I saw the 'Vagabond King" with Oreste and I am sorry to say it was utterly awful. No wonder he was never heard from again. I also disagree with Ivanhoe2 that Lanza wasted his life singing in the movies instead of in the opera houses around the world. He reached a far greater audience with his movies, radio shows and tv appearances than he would ever have done singing for rich socialites and critics in some stuffy opera house.
streck6969 4 years ago 4
Oh, this is so beautiful!
thanks
jntssstr 4 years ago 4
THE BEST VIDEO OF LANZA THANKS
b1eght73 4 years ago 4
I don't like the way Oreste Kirkop is spoken of slightingly. He was a splendid singer and a "bona fide" opera singer. He had the guts to get out there and appear in opera regularly. He was also an admirer of Lanza, as were many of the leading singers of the day, No one with knowledge questions Lanza's great gift,,,just the way in which it was used. Even his his short life,he had the ability and the opportunity to do so much more.
Ivanhoe2 4 years ago
This song is just make me chill.Mario he is amazing, my ever favourite,he died so young and could not acheive as much as the others but he made millions of people love operatic music.This is his main acheivement.
glasgopinkkitten 4 years ago 3
I disagree, even in death Lanza has remained on top of the greatest tenors of all time, and at least we have him on disc and video to cherish forever!
cathytreks 4 years ago 3
What a unbelievable vocal instrument. He is so amazing and so far beyond anything I have ever heard as an American. Now I now why my parents got married. For real!!! WOW excuse me. But that's the real thing.
amicushumanigeneris 4 years ago 2
In January 1958 Lanza sang two concerts in the Royal Albert Hall, London. I was fortunate to attend both. His voice was large and rich and sounded better than on recordings. No amplification was used and the first concert was recorded. I have read that both Dame Joan Sutherland and the great tenor Nicolai Gedda were in the audience.
Ivanhoe2 4 years ago 3
The best "Someday" ever , no one remember Oreste's vagabong king film but Mario's Vagabong King "At his best" you can still buy it at Amazon or any other music store.
balletamie 4 years ago 3
Classic and beautiful...thank you for the post!
zufritto 4 years ago 2
I appreciate this video, especially because my cassett featuring "Someday" broke and I haven't yet replaced it. Hopefully someone will post his version of "Song of India" soon.
LawBaby97 4 years ago
A misguided soul,,with one of the greatest natural vocal talents ever, according to many leading singers of the day. He had the voice, looks and charisma and sadly squandered those great gifts in comparison to what other less talented artists achieved. He had a big, powerful and rich voice. I heard him twice live in the vast Royal Albert Hall, London.
Ivanhoe2 4 years ago
Lucky you you saw the real Mario Lanza. I don't think he squandered his amazing talent, otherwise we would't have those amazing songs he left us. CLassic you mean, Oh forget about that, maybe in classical music a few people would've know him other thant the connossieurs.
dottyditty 4 years ago 2
May I ask you tell us all more about that nigth? So much thank you.
balletamie 4 years ago
I share your opinion, both about his exceptional voice and about his having thrown away his chances of becoming the world's best tenor ever. He also had passion and it is a quality which, in my opinion, even Pavarotti lacked. As for Oreste, he was a misfit in Hollywood and couldn't put his heart into the film. In fact, he returned to his native Malta after completing the film, to live as a simple citizen.
duda43 4 years ago 3
that is one magnificent voice, id just like to know however if this performance was actually sung or was is mimed to his own recording?
hoomi19 4 years ago
Hoomi19 - This is actually sung - not mimed. This was his first public appearance singing live after that one TV show where he did mime to his record.
marilynf 4 years ago 2
Great, no other Mario Lanza
maritere1939 5 years ago
I'm a metal/Hard Rock fan and got to say this is not my style, but this guy has an amazing voice. I see why people still remember him.
ianblair74 5 years ago
Yes, absolutely amazing voice. It's good to find people that can appreciate real talent even though not their favorite style. :)
dottyditty 4 years ago
to think that he had to prove he could "still"sing untouchable before or since he will always be the tenor who had it all!
chocs1 5 years ago
awsome
dmar5143 5 years ago
No, there is certainly only one Lanza, this guy is even copying Lazka's hair style. It seems that the music is too difficult for him.
Hiigar 5 years ago
This is Lanza. It's from the second Shower of Stars show from 1954.
GreekCallas 5 years ago
Loved It!
GreekCallas 5 years ago