Mario Lanza - Vesti la giubba (studio recording)

[joshandm]

Lanza is a special talent. My favorite Vesti la giubba is Corelli's, but that doesn't take anything away from Lanza. To be mentioned in the same sentence is Corelli is quite the compliment.

[Doub820]

@joshandm Я тоже считаю, что Корелли в этой арии лучший!

[AGuyInAHat]

At Six, Thirty in the morning I listen to Mario Lanza sing opera, my day is officially set.

[VcUb3mAsT3r613]

LANZA WAS AND STILL IS THE BEST....ESPECIALLY , SNCE HE NEVER RECIEVED ONE OPERA LESSON

[petereuropa]

@VcUb3mAsT3r613 The English Wikipedia info of Mario Lanza is very well written as a biography (my opinion). He studied with teacher Enrico Rosati for 15 months. And earlier was a student in the Berkshire Music Center. He studied more than that, I'm sure of that. To sing an opera (Madame Butterfly) or to sing an aria, you have to study and create technique to perform well. I'm sure of that Hollywood also offered him the best teachers to sing well in the film productions that he participateed in.

[badpdx]

Lanza, Caruso, Bjoerling . . .all were great . . .and all had their flaws. I think germanoperasinger does Lanza an injustice to say he needed a microphone. There is ample evidence from those who sang with him that his voice was quite powerful. That was never his problem. Unfortunately lack of confidence and perhaps discipline along with the lure of Hollywood kept him from a true operatic career. No matter. I am a huge Caruso and Jussi fan but I am still in absolute awe of Lanza's voice.

[MrCandido7]

as talented as all the major tenors of the 20th century were, they are but whispers in the tempest that once was lanza.the esoteric snobbery of the operatic clique who continue to denigrate his ability,may perhaps one day accept the fact, he was simply the best.but then again perhaps not. after all .... one cannot become a great tenor without jumping through all the time honoured hoops.

[Aetion]

By far the best rendition I've ever heard!

Thank you.



[chrysabra]

thumbs up if the movie untouchbles brought you here hahaha , wonderfull

[mareckbamf]

The greatest "popera" singer of all time, no doubt. Greatest singer of all time? No. Most potential? Debatable.

[MrZeitun]

Geez, Lanza can't even sing true! Some notes are just horrible.

[alvaroandino]

es uno de los registros mas rico de resonancia que conozca y su interpretacion es bien cuidada

[SalMessina1]

Mario mio nel cuore R.I.P. :(

[mauriciomille]

The best american tenor ever, since then!, and hardly to equalate

[atlatahuac]

for passion, range, ability to darken tones (Vesti, We 3 Kings, Lord's Prayer), sans pareil! I'm a die hard Lanza fanatic, but even I must admit his greatest role was that of a magnet to the fans of popular fine music - everyone from fans of Teddy Randazzo, Steve Lawrence, to Vic Damone, Tony B, Frank, Michael Bubble - Lanza propelled us toward gr8 opera and its more musical, its more carefully, artistically trained exponents: Bjoerling, Corelli, Del monaco, Placido, Luciano ...

[indgiu]

sorry lanza fans, I listened but still think that Pavarotti and Bjorling are much better. Don't get me wrong, Lanza is clearly outstanding, but still not comparable to the above two...

[sugarbist]

@indgiu Try listening to some American songs, like Thine Aone , The Lords Prayer O Holy night and some Student Prince. For Vesti La Giubba, Pavarotti and Bjorling were great tenors but try Corelli and if you try Del Monaco wearing a tuxedo, you should wear a seat belt so you dont get hurt. Enjoy

[tamaria6564]

@sugarbist Maybe you should google your song choices before you claim them as "american". Maybe they were recorded in US but not originated there.

[sugarbist]

@tamaria6564 I have change that on other sights by calling them so-called American songs. I wanted yo say English singing American songs but I probably would have gotten a comment about,The Kings Language or something. I am open to suggestions . Thank You

[CREQUIE]

52 ans après sa mort, il reste l'un des chanteurs lyriques les plus écoutés sur you tube .Qu'en sera t'il pour PAVAROTTI dans 50 ans? LANZA par son chant éternise l'émotion, d'où le caractère intemporel de son éclat.Guy CREQUIE.52 years after its death, there remains one of the lyric singers most listened on you tube. What will be you he for PAVAROTTI in 50 years? LANZA by its song perpetuates the emotion, from where timeless character of its glare. Guy CREQUIE

[mrdrodrigues]

Gee! It's impressive! What a firm, fierce voice. His voice's like a rock. And the emotion, oh the emotion is so... I'm wordless. GREAT!

[billy2rivers1]

In my very humble opinion Caruso had the purist voice and was a real grand opera singer as history shows ,having said i prefer listening to lanza .To put it in its simplest terms its peas and carrots.I really dont understand the argument as its so easy and almost free to listen to all the worlds greatest singers on here so why not enjoy them all .Has anyone been able to find la danska by andreas bocelli on youtube.

[Ritasheba]

Yes you are right, Mario Lanza , was the best , thats why he played, Caruso, in the film The Great Caruso, or was that before your time , and i have heard the 1907.

[GermanOperaSinger]

@Ritasheba Well it's really all subjective, but how can you possibly say that a tenor who's singing career was Hollywood based was better than a tenor who was the leading tenor at the Met for almost 20 seasons and sang over 600 performances there? Caruso actually sang real operatic roles on stage, Lanza only sang Pinkerton and that was early in his career, the rest of the 'opera' he sang was just arias and in studio, on the radio, occasionally in concert - with a mike no doubt.

[purpleAiPEy]

@GermanOperaSinger you were there?

of course its not a mic. mics are used for the nowaday pop diva opera guys. not lanza. so caruso who has a recording, used a mic too right?

[popilo66]

@Ritasheba and he was the only really handsome tenor

i think

[Takken1256]

Solamente decir de acuerdo a los comentarios, es una de las voces que más identifican el carácter de la opera Italiana. The very best italian voice!

[tomfroekjaer]

The greatest performance of this great aria is the 1907 recording of Enrico Caruso. Anyone thinking this Lanza (very good btw) recording is better, has either not listened Caruso's performance or has a fixed idea that Lanza was the greatest tenor of all times.

[purpleAiPEy]

@tomfroekjaer or that lanza is better in other peoples ears? you are very biased

[tomfroekjaer]

@purpleAiPEy: yes, you are right. I am quite biased. But I guess most people are - including you.

This doesn't mean that I do not respect the opinions of others.

But I have the right to voice my opinion and so do you. I respect the opinon of others and do not attack them for having another than mine.

Art is very subjective - there are not absolutes. If you think Lanza was unbeatable, that fine with me. And if I think Caruso was unbeatable, it should be fine with you. We are both right.

[Ritasheba]

Forget the. Three Tenors. Mario Lanza is still the greatest ,always was, and always will be, no one is anywhere near him.  Brilliant.

[tomfroekjaer]

@Ritasheba: I think you forgot Enrico Caruso ! Still the greatest, always was, and always will be - no one is anywhere him. - But maybe you never heard Enrico Caruso sing this?

[Kenshin22able]

Dont forget Franco Coreli i believe that is the BEST in this Aria. Offcourse great respet to all other legendary tenors who sung this.And for sure Mario Lanza is second after Caruso.

[Kenshin22able]

Dont forget Franco Coreli i believe that is the BEST in this Aria. Offcourse great respet to all other legendary tenors who sung this

[psychodamned]

For me this is the definiative version. No matyter who your favourite tennor is the emotiom Lanza conjures is magical : )

[mauriciomille]

Pavs and Caruso leads!!

[bacassa]

i just heard this same song by Caruso's 3 different recordings of it on youtube & Mario's ROCKS way better !!!!!!!

[80sweregr8]

Now I am biased having had my mom play this song (and album) over and over and over growing up...but it is the best version of Vesti La Giubba that I have ever heard. If Lanza's pain between 1:48 : 2:15 doesn't grip you I suspect you are dead.

[TuggBull]

a little bit speedy by my understanding, but still... OUTSTADNING!

[OULIAR2]

Luciano was in a league........set by Mario. They are 2 different men,....singing with 2 different souls.

[51Linz]

You know, there's a third take of this, which is the best of the three recorded that day but which, inexplicably, was not the one eventually released by RCA. It has all the passion and much less of the sharping. It's on one of the CDs released by Damon Lanza productions some years ago. That said, Mario's best Vesti was an alternate take for The Great Caruso, released on a Rhino CD, again some years ago.

[Dixielfc21]

there was a special on tv this week about his life it was sad to watch but amazing too, i love his voice, in a way i am truely glad that he went into the film industry otherwise, people like me would never have had the joy to hear him sing.. this particular song never fails to move me to tears

[GIONIC1969]

Otro Gran Tenore !!! One of The Best Ever !!! Just Like Carusso. Los Grandes

Tenores, Deberiamos de Sumergirnos mas en la Opera !!! Classica. Gio.

[Greatheil]

he's painfully sharp on the Ridi... part.

[DURound]

@Greatheil, I do not hear it being that painfully sharp. I personally think the best version of this song is by placido domingo, but this version is very powerful - emotionally. And having listened to caruso, pavarotti, domingo, gigli, corelli, björling, and I do not think this one compares very unfavorably. In fact, a lot of these guys do a technicallly wonderful, but slightly boring performance compared with Lanza.

[bgenne54]

thankyou for posting this music,my father turned me on to mario when I was younger than I am today boy do I appreciate it so much now.

[nunicorng]

I have just listened to Enrico Caruso sing this song but Mario's version just made the hairs on my hand stand up

[DiegoAOMunoz]

Hollywood killed him... Shame. We all lost one great tenor.

[hippiesal]

beautiful. simply beautiful.

[rouman7]

there is noone who can match, his voice noone....

[Yeshua4Pearl]

ISf he had not been in movies he may not have been as well known and have had such a tremendous influence on so many singers and popularized singing, tenor singing, for the rest of the non-opera singers. He also brought opera, arias, to the people, who are ot used to them in many places in the world. All is well. I am just sorry he died young.

[billy2rivers1]

@Yeshua4Pearl You are so right my friend. I had the good fortune to hear caruso sing on records as a boy as did my father and it gave me a love of the tenor voice . But i saw lanza on film and it sealed it for me.The mayor deal both made and destroyed lanza but it did bring arias to us all.Well said .

[bodiloto]

voce fuori repertorio .

[bubuthehun]

He is really amongst the best tenors ever, but perhaps he is the one who could sing so full with emotions.

[acerb45666555]

my mother turned me on to Mario Lanza! good move! the cat was fantastic!!

[yeahhhme]

I have most of his recordings but i didnt listen to them a while. This brings me back.

[Aetion]

Wonderful rendition! Mario Lanza was really great.

Thanks for posting.

[YaikonMetal]

1:49

that brought a tear to my eye

[csd166]

still the greatest tenor! listen and compare to current I HAVE AND THEIR IS NO COMPARISON, He is great...........LISTEN AND COMPARE VESTI LA GIUBBLA...........TO ALL OTHERS!

[premium1823]

@csd166 pavarotti is up there

[malthuswasright]

@csd166 firstly, it's "there" is no comparison, not "their". And second, not a patch on Caruso. Good, no doubt. But not great.

[Dixielfc21]

about 2 minutes in... tears to my eyes!! amazing, never fails to bring me to tears

[tomfroekjaer]

Great voice and great empathy.

Wish we'd be able to hear more of the "real" Lanza...

[toots440]

what a voice,thank god they have a mario

lanza museum in phila at 712 montrose st

near where he was born they have his tapes and memorial for everyone to purchase also they have a mario lanza ball in phila in november I WILL BE SURE

TO GO AND LISTEN TO HIS BEAUTIFUL

VOICE.

[danofsydney]

Lanza, Rocky and the Declaration of Independence.... the best things to come out of Philly ever!

[AZo9jojo]

Including Wilt Chamberlain!!

[billy2rivers1]

Ha yes well spotted . But here in the islands.Were all a bit dim .Fucking All Drive Jags and Astons though.Who cares what tenors singing as long as it sounds great out of all twenty six speakers.

[billy2rivers1]

GIGLI i know

[Artisticz]

This alone puts him in top 20 tenors in the century!

[Zombie2Mannequin]

Thanks for this. Lanza's voice is one of my favorites.

[steakopera]

Yes, what a shame and was inevidable fate and that is why he is a legend. He played very important part as a conveyer of opera to american audience. Like what Hollywood is so good at, they used his good looks and superbly attractive voice in movie makings mostly. Lanza was a victim in a sense how he had to strain his voice to produce clear English diction. And prolong abuse mark him left for unauthentic opera singer.

[gillhill92]

Rubbish you speak you fool. Freddy was Italiano American and spoke perfect English from birth. And it was Mayor that signed him . Mario sang one Grand opera .He had the talent but drank .

[steakopera]

>Freddy.

Are you referring to Lanza? If you are, it is you who speak foolishness. Speaking pronounciation is completely different from singing diction, get this in your head. Try to listen Tucker, Peerce, Vicker, these are with native English tongues yet they sing with italianted diction. Lanza didn't and strained his voice. If you don't understand my comment, don't reply.

[gillhill92]

But Freddy was American with Italliano parents.He was a cocotcha or similar .He is my favorite tenor and very good . As a person he was a piss head violent womaniser.He looked good thin but it affected his voice . Dont get mad get wise.

[steakopera]

I have asked you not to reply until you aquire some understanding first. I can see you have not. Don't send me your garbage comments please, until you have some understanding what Italianated diction is and I am wise and you are not.

P.S Being cocotcha has nothing to do with his singing. Goodbye.

[gillhill92]

Dont always be so angry my friend just because your wrong on this one .Freddy cocotcha was Mario lanzas true name. Hehas been my favorite singer for 35 years. Plus iam ITALIANO from birth . So dont be so angry just enjoy the music.

[gillhill92]

And fool read about how your filthy money man Mayor fucked Lanzas opera hopes with his five movie deal .See i do know the facts . Your a silly little man spouting off a big mouth. You thought a cocotcha was an insult hahaha o how we all laughed at you hahaha.

[steakopera]

O.K. This is my last shot at you to truly hoping to understand how unhealthy it is to use English diction in Italian arias. It is opposite(healthy) to use Italian diction in English reportoirs. Some of English vowels are not pure as Italian vowels and consonants are difficult in relation to the vowels. Maybe Lanza had no choice because his audiences were mostly Americans and that is why he had to use forced English diction. Hope this gives you a little light of understanding.

[billy2rivers1]

I am full blood English and you talk crap .FIRSTLY YOU DONT SAY AT YOU TO TRULY HOPING TO .Sorry it makes no sense.You also missed a T aswell moron. Plus you dont have a clue about forming a story you are so boring and dull.God what a boring arse you really are .

[steakopera]

>"aswell" should be "as well".

>"dont "should be "don't."

>"Sorry it makes no sense" should be "Sorry I do not understand in this matter because I am a bloody ignorant English man". Thank You. ta ta, go along my boy.

[billy2rivers1]

True iam not to literate but your a very angry man. Calm down a bit and dont get overheated that was Lanzas problem as well. Your making a show of yourself again.

[steakopera]

Moi? Angry? Not at all. I feel sorry for you two and you shouldn't call me a moron to began with. You should choose your words more carefully if you want peaceful communication.

[gillhill92]

Stop showing off .You know you shouldnt be talking to grown ups on the computer.

[steakopera]

I am not showing off. You just feel insecure on this subject and it's you who is being an imbecile, not me.

[steakopera]

Continuing on from my last comment. Look at Pavarotti for an example. Why does he rarely sing reportoirs that are not Italian because it deteriorates his singing sensation and difficult to make placement. And have you realize Pav's English diction is bad compare to Lanza's? Why? mostly because his Italian diction. You should thank me for sharing this knowledge with you. Your Welcome.

[billy2rivers1]

You should be telling gillhill not me . 2rivers only told you that gilly is a fine singer and very well thought of her in the islands . JOESEPH LOCKES MY CUP OF TEA

[billy2rivers1]

HAha yes point taken .Lanzas first language was English though being American/Italliano. Sorry about the moron snipe.

[cbh66]

Got to say old chap the spellings a little on the ripe side. I can tell that English is not your mother tongue .The grammer is good though.

[Essexpianos]

Likewise with you ol' man. It is 'Grammar".

[steakopera]

Correct, English is my second language indeed. It's a hard language to learn.

[billy2rivers1]

Very poor Knowledge of singers steakopera .Gillhill made you look silly there. You should have known better than call out a pro .Iam no fan of him but hes a fine fine singer.I think he plays on the benjamino GILLI name myself. Have you noticed.

[steakopera]

Wrong spelling. It's Gigli not Gilli and I have never doubted Lanza's ability as a singer. I am merely making a point about his diction because he has cross over to singing opera arias. Open your eyes and read my comments clearly and show me where have I put Lanza down. Don't jump into conclusions.

[danofsydney]

Thanks for posting.

regarding nay sayers that say his career was hollywood movies instead of opera house orientated should get over themselves, his singing was incredible and he doesnt need a tour of the worlds opera houses under his belt to prove his musical abilities. But personally i prefer the version used in the film (whichever year that was)

[OettingerCroat]

Lanza rocked as Canio... heir apparent to mr. Caruso in this role IMO

[dreamaker63]

I'd have to agree with you and go a little further to say that Lanza's voice was equalled only by Enrico Caruso and surpassed by no one in recorded history. I met his son at an Italian Festival in Providence and Frank Talaglia who is also on here, sang Lanza's songs.

[ShawDAMAN]

Agreed :)

[Almuric7]

I love Lanza above all other Tenors personally: we all have our faves. As to the prior criticism of Caruso - am I right in thinking he was unable to reach top-C? Don't know for sure, but I LOVE Caruso and Cura regardless of their Baritone background.

[crapfacejoe]

1- Lanza

2- Caruso

3- Jussi

[GermanOperaSinger]

You don't like Caruso because of his style? What kind of style are you speaking of? He was the greatest tenor in history, and there should be nothing (save maybe a bit of dynamic contrast) that one can find fault in him, at all...plus I'm not saying Caruso was the best because it's 'traditionally accepted'. I can make decisions for myself, I'm a grown person...and after listening to everyone else, I still say Caruso was the greatest.

[ShawDAMAN]

Please don't think I am trying to start an argument... I've read your feelings of Caruso before and I largely agree with you- but I'm curious about one thing. You say "He was the greatest tenor in history" as if it were an indisputable fact. He may well be, but can something so subject to personal tastes and opinions be stated so categorically? (continued)

[ShawDAMAN]

There have been so many great ones since, and the recordings of him are so inferior- I don't know, I just have a hard time handing him the "greatest in history" trophy. Again please understand I'm asking in a friendly way :)

[GermanOperaSinger]

Just my opinion that he was...in the end, doesn't it boil down to who gives you goosebumps and makes you weep? About seven individual singers have given me goosebumps at some point when I've listened to them...I won't list them here as that would be a waste of space but you can message me if you want the list...2 have made me weep: Caruso and Ponselle.

[ShawDAMAN]

"doesn't it boil down to who gives you goosebumps and makes you weep"

Absolutely!! Lanza gives me more goosebumps than anyone, which is why he's my favorite- I'd put Wunderlich next on my goosebump chart- no tenor has made me cry but that's just my constitution. My point was just that we feel our opinions so strongly I guess sometimes they come out soundling like facts. I have to be careful there myself ;-)

Please, send me your list, I'd like that...

[TheIzzoGuy]

It is a shame that such talent had to pass so soon. I think that if he had lived longer, there would have been "The 4 Tenors" instead of 3. I don't like Caruso and Placido because of their styles, and Lanza and Pavarotti are close. My vote goes to Lanza for having more expression and being a better actor.

[ShawDAMAN]

Nice. I have this version as well as the 2 other studio versions he made. It's nice he covered this aria so well.

[redsox2213]

I love Lanza. He could have been the Greatest Opera singer of the 20th Century. Even Toscanini said he was a better tenor than Caruso. Shame he only did one opera, Butterfly, in his entire career as an opera singer.

[VinylToVideo]

Toscanini didn't quite say it like that. Lanza had the opportunity to audition for him, something most tenors would have given a limb to have been able to do, and Lanza turned him down.

[ShawDAMAN]

You're right he didn't say it like that. He did say Lanza had "the voice of the century," and this even though he had heard Caruso firsthand- (conducted him too, I think..) So it's quite a statement to make.. but it probably doesn't do to read too much into it. I happen to agree with him though :P

[GermanOperaSinger]

Although Jan Peerce was always his favorite tenor.

[VinylToVideo]

In the mid-40s Toscanini declared that he was perhaps the possessor of the greatest natural (!) voice of the century. This was of course when it was looking like opera was where his career was headed. I would say from the RCA tests and other miscellaneous recordings I have from the 40s that the voice was far better then than when Lanza was actually popular.

[ShawDAMAN]

Well, it depends on when you consider Lanza to be popular- after 1949 (his first movie?) The mid-50's? I think he did some brilliant singing well into the '50's- still, I would tend to agree with you. I like his greater restraint in his early years and the focus on the voice/technique. The quote I've always heard is "This is the greatest natural tenor voice of the 20th century." I hadn't heard the "perhaps" part lol :) But like I said it doesn't do to focus on that too much....

[VinylToVideo]

That's why I didn't use quotes - I don't recall what Toscanini's exact words were but I know the word "natural" was in there and I think "perhaps" was too. Yours is the same reason I prefer Lanza earlier; he sung with the technique he learned fresher in his mind and also didn't sing everything forte like he did later on. I once thought he was the best tenor ever but not anymore. I've gladly moved on.

[ShawDAMAN]

I've never heard the quote as "perhaps" but, no big deal.

I hold to my OPINION that Lanza had the best raw materials/natural gifts of any tenor I've heard. Were those gifts used to their full potential? Certainly not. But overall I think his contribution to operatic singing was certainly positive, and he's given alot of pleasure to alot of people which I think he deserves credit for. You almost sound a bit hostile toward him- are you?

So who's your favorite now- Tucker?

[GermanOperaSinger]

There are too many things to take into consideration when we talk about the 'greatest tenor ever'. My favorite is Caruso and I think he was the 'greatest ever' but it's not set in stone although I think it should be =). Tucker and di Stefano are up there too, as are others...but it's just opinion.

Beauty of the voice depends on the context of the music. Could you imagine Melchior trying to sing 'L'elisir'? Best natural voice? Caruso for me. Although Lanza I'm going to say top five at least.

[GermanOperaSinger]

I think most of us owe credit to Mario Lanza for our love of opera. When I was a child, he was my all time favorite. But I grew out of it...I still love him. But I love other singers too now.

[tomfroekjaer]

Interesting discussion about Lanza compared to Caruso :-)

It really is a personal experience thing.

It may well be that Mario had a technically better voice than Enrico.

For me personally I can only make a judgement on the basis of my own emotional response.

Mario impressives me very much, but Caruso makes me cry....

[ShawDAMAN]

It's so hard to say. Besides the problem with Caruso's recordings, the fact is that Lanza could have been even better than he was, (which is a pretty scary thought!! :D)

Lanza is my pick for best natural tenor voice, period. You can critize him for his career choices, his singing style, his dynamics... I'm just talking about the raw instrument. Even before he had much training he just plain had it- GermanOperaSinger referred to him earlier as "a vocal miracle" which I think is apt.

[tomfroekjaer]

I fully agree with you on Lanza's voice/instrument being out of this world. It's simply my own emotional response that makes me decide for Caruso. No offense!

[ShawDAMAN]

Oh, I wasn't offended- I hope I didn't sound like I was :D Like I said whoever moves you the most, that's great- the whole point of music! and thanks again for your wonderful Caruso postings and website!

[tomfroekjaer]

No, ShawDAMAN, I didn't think you were offended :-)

BTW, you'd be absolutely perfect for making a great Lanza website! - I could assist you (no fee), if you want to create one... I do websites for a living.

[ShawDAMAN]

That's very nice of you! I'm afraid I don't really have the time, and there are several excellent Lanza fansites already. I appreciate you offering though. :)

[tomfroekjaer]

Well, just an idea :-)

I like websites that are driven by dedication rather than personal profit...

[ShawDAMAN]

I do as well- try derek mcgovern's Lanza forum! I think that fits the description. Lot's of nice rare recordngs and photos including a live 1948 "Vesti la giubba" which was not included in my comparison..

[sugarbist]

@ShawDAMAN I love Lanza's voice, even more so in the American songs which I feel, he has no equal.I shared your opinion at one time about your Caruso comment above. (not being completely committed that he was the greatest operatic tenor of the century),However after listening to many interviews by other tenors, like Del Monaco Corelli De Stefano, they do intimate and only yield their egos to Caruso and no one else.My favorites are Del Monaco Corelli DeStefano&Lanza in no specific order.Enjoy

[ShawDAMAN]

But don't get me wrong Caruso is probably the greatest operatic tenor of the past century. I don't mind if other people feel that he is the greatest tenor ever, I just haven't completely committed to that view myself. :) If Caruso moves you to tears that's great!

[SheHadManHands]

This is not the "For The First Time" version. I believe this was from his first commercial recording sessions recorded in 1949 in New York's Manhattan Center, the place many of RCA Victor's finest operatic recordings of the time were made.

[pearlmuth3]

This sounds super but some of his problems where not the fault of Hollywood but his problem with depression and friends like his brother in law who was a drinker ( I knew Bert Hicks) and the fast life style in Hollywood that some would not be dragged into. Bjorling had a drinking problem also and was not in Holllywood and so did Tibbet who did both hollywood and opera.

[sospello]

My first encounter with the tenor voice was Mario Lanza. Although the movies were iniquitous for him, it was this glorious sound on a big screen in a small town that has affected me ever since.

[corellitheonly]

I think this is Mario Alfredo's last "Vesti la giubba" for the Film "For the first time" right? Great!!!!