No Christmas Eve would be consummate for me unless the great Mario Lanza sang "O Holy Night". Few tenors since have ever reached the timbre of this rendition. Merry Christmas everyone!
Love & adore this man.My mum used to wake us up every Sunday morning, to get us out of bed, playing Mario until the walls vibrated...I have wonderful memories of my mum, some of her happiest times were listening to Mario. He is up there with Bjorling, serenading the Angels. (and my Mum) :0)
There's simply no comparison between Lanza, Caruso, and Pavarotti, as some people are suggesting. Lanza wins. Lanza had possibly the greatest voice this country ever produced. I'm fortunate to have his autograph, courtesy of my late father who catered a reception for him.
@TheOldSalts who are you to make such a comment? Don't compare legendary tenors, it is not fair to the fans of each and also to the artists themselves. They both worked hard at their artistry. Let us respect the greats with equal love and admiration! I still think Julie Andrews is the best of the best sopranos the world has EVER heard.
Zeke my friend, we are just going to have to agree to disagree. Domingo in my opinion has a nice tenor voice but no where near the power of Mario Lanza or Enrico Caruso.
There is no one who can sing this except for Mario Lanza. Others have tried and there some good ones out there but doesn't come close. There are particular songs that have to be sung in a particular way and this is no exception.
mark vincent (vincient) has the chance in voice to bring the greatness as our maio...such a blessing was this man...grew up learning to love him and appreciate him and his fantastic voice...
Mario Lanza's performance of Oh Holy Night is a timeless and universal gift to the world. In my opinion, no one has done it better, before or since. What a gift!
My grandfather was a Lanza disciple, and could hit what he did to a T.
Every Christmas Eve that I could remember, the men of the family would get together after having their share of anisette and sing this version of the song. And no matter how old he got, he still hit the notes better than his sons. God rest his soul, he's the greatest singer I've ever been around.
Now I'm the age that I'm keeping the annual sing-off in the family, and no one can hold a candle to Lanza's O Holy Night like him
One wish I have always had since I first heard him sing - is that for one glorious moment I may have his voice to sing one song in praise to our Lord............thanks for the post...
@1863year Listen to The Student Prince. It is Mario Lanzas voice and he sings Ave Maria and I'll Walk with God amongst others. I thought Roberto Alagna was the best at this until I heard this version. I always thought Mario Lanza was great. The only one who can make the hairs stand on the back of my neck. Even 50 years down the line.
You know what? I actually enjoy the pace and I love the second verse arrangement and performance by the very competent choir. And of course I love the immense power and reverence that Lanza puts into this wonderful piece. Fabulous.
Thank you so so much for posting this! My Dad played this for me every year of my life (48 now) and it STILL has the power to make me all goose bumpy! My all time favorite Christmas song!
Oh my God! This version brought tears to my eyes and goose bumps on my arms! Thanks you so much for posting this. It's my favorite Christmas song which requires a strong tenor. Wow you have one here. Thank you
I LOVE this version. I know it's a wee bit "brisk" but OTOH so many versions are so treacly and literally "slower than molasses in January"! Plus, even tho' it's an early recording, you can still hear EVERY word - the enunciation is PERFECT. Thank you Mario, and @Stoltapaura for uploading it - it's amazing how hard it is to find a decent male recording of this lovely carol.
My dear mum's favourite. Whenever I hear Mario Lanza I think of her. RIP Audrey Alderson Hamiltonxxx I hope wherever you are, you got to meet Marioxxx
I do agree that Mario is one of the best and I most of the time prefer any of his versions of what ever he sings, but that is a bit hectic/ too fast and it is in deed a bit sharp on one place, but that's absolutly minor.
I am 43 and have loved this song since I first heard it when I was 11. This is THE DEFINITIVE version of this song and it is how the original composer would have wanted to hear it !
Mario Lanza was indeed the best tenor of his time...of any time! I entirely agree that Pavarotti is the closest there has been since Mario Lanza and sadly since the demise of Pavarotti, there is noone to fill such boots! As to hatepbj94's comments, you must be attention seeking as your comment is just plain ridiculous and is underserving of further comment..... and lorrainewands, surely you must need a hearing test! I have been pitch perfect since birth and Lanza is spot on. NOT out of tune!!
@jggloa59 I am full of admiration for Mario Lanza. However my favourite version of this wonderful carol is by Michael Crawford. Check it out and see what you think.
There hasn't been another tenor with such a clear, confident and powerful voice ever since. Pavarotti is the closest there was to Mario Lanza. They're both legends!!
In my opinion Luciano Pavarotti was the best of a poor lot the last 40+ years. Mario Lanza and Enrico Caruso will always be my favorites.
All the rest of these tenors are merely "also rans" I figured that out during the years I was doing Choir and Church music. The rest of these so called "great tenors" bore me to death with the lack of real depth in their voices.
@injunjoe107 With all respect! look at the overall picture a beauty pagent is not qualifyed just for singing, Mr. Domingo It's a very complete package. Power like very few, Musician, Director, no one unites this many skills like He does: Overall Champion
love it so much
flambeaufootball 3 weeks ago
Beautiful voice but WAY TOO FAST
bluevirgo19 1 month ago
magnifique................
remotnias 1 month ago
There is a clarity, virility and silky smoothness in Lanza's voice which is very attractive.
Corelli may have more versatility, not surprising given his broad range of roles in his long
career, but in this popular idiom Lanza is hard to beat.
michaels7 1 month ago
So natural, - puts everybody in the shade...RIP. Mario.
Maxdesander 1 month ago
Heavenly.....Mario...
MsBrigitte100 2 months ago
how splendindly he reaches the high note...
pandemits 2 months ago
No Christmas Eve would be consummate for me unless the great Mario Lanza sang "O Holy Night". Few tenors since have ever reached the timbre of this rendition. Merry Christmas everyone!
Br1anSand 2 months ago 2
Love & adore this man.My mum used to wake us up every Sunday morning, to get us out of bed, playing Mario until the walls vibrated...I have wonderful memories of my mum, some of her happiest times were listening to Mario. He is up there with Bjorling, serenading the Angels. (and my Mum) :0)
telbridget 2 months ago 2
There's simply no comparison between Lanza, Caruso, and Pavarotti, as some people are suggesting. Lanza wins. Lanza had possibly the greatest voice this country ever produced. I'm fortunate to have his autograph, courtesy of my late father who catered a reception for him.
mn6888888 2 months ago 2
@mn6888888
Excuse mee. Lanza does not even come close to the Greatest - CORELLI !
TheOldSalts 2 months ago
@TheOldSalts who are you to make such a comment? Don't compare legendary tenors, it is not fair to the fans of each and also to the artists themselves. They both worked hard at their artistry. Let us respect the greats with equal love and admiration! I still think Julie Andrews is the best of the best sopranos the world has EVER heard.
Shamsithaca 1 month ago
@Shamsithaca
You obviously have not listened to Joan Sutherland !
TheOldSalts 1 month ago
@TheOldSalts yes yes, but they are two different sopranos. Julie Andrews rocks and we can take this outside and deal with it like men.
Shamsithaca 1 month ago
Zeke my friend, we are just going to have to agree to disagree. Domingo in my opinion has a nice tenor voice but no where near the power of Mario Lanza or Enrico Caruso.
And Merry Christmas
injunjoe107 2 months ago
@injunjoe107 Bravo, I could not have said it better myself!
goleafbudsgo 2 months ago
There is no one who can sing this except for Mario Lanza. Others have tried and there some good ones out there but doesn't come close. There are particular songs that have to be sung in a particular way and this is no exception.
cricklewood100 2 months ago
mark vincent (vincient) has the chance in voice to bring the greatness as our maio...such a blessing was this man...grew up learning to love him and appreciate him and his fantastic voice...
meshell86 2 months ago
Mario Lanza's performance of Oh Holy Night is a timeless and universal gift to the world. In my opinion, no one has done it better, before or since. What a gift!
folly33 2 months ago
was moms favorite
imamymay 2 months ago
Just think, Mario was walking the streets of Philadelphia as a milk-man, when he was discovered! Such humble beginnings.
captainmorgan757 2 months ago
@captainmorgan757 beautiful. i'm a night janitor. had 23 poems published. but i'm still pushing the broom down dark hallways in the night. ha ha.
vinnynumbnuts 2 months ago
My grandfather was a Lanza disciple, and could hit what he did to a T.
Every Christmas Eve that I could remember, the men of the family would get together after having their share of anisette and sing this version of the song. And no matter how old he got, he still hit the notes better than his sons. God rest his soul, he's the greatest singer I've ever been around.
Now I'm the age that I'm keeping the annual sing-off in the family, and no one can hold a candle to Lanza's O Holy Night like him
QTheSun 2 months ago
Only the great Enrico Caruso approaches this quality of voice. Luciano Pararotti was the best of a bad lot over the last 50 years.
All the rest of these so called "great tenors" are merely pretenders to the name.
injunjoe107 2 months ago
too fast
turkey08041954 2 months ago
This is absolutely beautiful, it has to be my favourite version of my favourite Christmas songs, sends me into ecstasy
Ramsdenheath 2 months ago
One wish I have always had since I first heard him sing - is that for one glorious moment I may have his voice to sing one song in praise to our Lord............thanks for the post...
1863year 2 months ago
@1863year Listen to The Student Prince. It is Mario Lanzas voice and he sings Ave Maria and I'll Walk with God amongst others. I thought Roberto Alagna was the best at this until I heard this version. I always thought Mario Lanza was great. The only one who can make the hairs stand on the back of my neck. Even 50 years down the line.
A Happy New Year to you.
dibble419 1 month ago
You know what? I actually enjoy the pace and I love the second verse arrangement and performance by the very competent choir. And of course I love the immense power and reverence that Lanza puts into this wonderful piece. Fabulous.
ohger1 2 months ago 2
The best tenor of all time !!!
brenton58 2 months ago
Thank you so so much for posting this! My Dad played this for me every year of my life (48 now) and it STILL has the power to make me all goose bumpy! My all time favorite Christmas song!
vsargrad 2 months ago
All I can say is wow!
classyteacherdiva 2 months ago
perfection in every note in every song
moski388 2 months ago
This is really good, but I prefer Jussi Bjorling's version above all.
wiseroldfart 2 months ago
i love this version and i have heard a lot of versions,mario had some voice wow.powerful
1968davidcassin 2 months ago
Oh my God! This version brought tears to my eyes and goose bumps on my arms! Thanks you so much for posting this. It's my favorite Christmas song which requires a strong tenor. Wow you have one here. Thank you
bmmora21 2 months ago 2
Exceptional voice !
SuperWatanabe123 2 months ago
Beautiful voice... but SOOOO fast!!
timananda 2 months ago
He is my FAVORITE TENOR. A voice touched by GOD.
LOMBARDISPACKERS1 2 months ago
I LOVE this version. I know it's a wee bit "brisk" but OTOH so many versions are so treacly and literally "slower than molasses in January"! Plus, even tho' it's an early recording, you can still hear EVERY word - the enunciation is PERFECT. Thank you Mario, and @Stoltapaura for uploading it - it's amazing how hard it is to find a decent male recording of this lovely carol.
ZeldaGlitterKitty 2 months ago
marios version is brilliant also listen to nat king coles version
gord47100 3 months ago
My dear mum's favourite. Whenever I hear Mario Lanza I think of her. RIP Audrey Alderson Hamiltonxxx I hope wherever you are, you got to meet Marioxxx
granmut 3 months ago 2
What key is this in? What note is the top divine?
nicktabus1000 3 months ago
I do agree that Mario is one of the best and I most of the time prefer any of his versions of what ever he sings, but that is a bit hectic/ too fast and it is in deed a bit sharp on one place, but that's absolutly minor.
The fastness is not my cup of tea.
frauhkmusica 4 months ago
The greatest tenor this side of Napoli.
GottmitunsAlex 6 months ago 2
I am 43 and have loved this song since I first heard it when I was 11. This is THE DEFINITIVE version of this song and it is how the original composer would have wanted to hear it !
pgzzz 7 months ago 2
Mario Lanza was indeed the best tenor of his time...of any time! I entirely agree that Pavarotti is the closest there has been since Mario Lanza and sadly since the demise of Pavarotti, there is noone to fill such boots! As to hatepbj94's comments, you must be attention seeking as your comment is just plain ridiculous and is underserving of further comment..... and lorrainewands, surely you must need a hearing test! I have been pitch perfect since birth and Lanza is spot on. NOT out of tune!!
mlmpro1059 8 months ago 4
God, Mario Lanzo, did you try to ruin the best Christmas song ever written on purpose?
hatepbj94 9 months ago
Mario Lanza the GREATEST TENOR of ALL TIMES
chapallen1 1 year ago 4
' THE ' top tenor of ALL time !!!
mrpezzler 1 year ago 4
This is my "all-time" favorite version of this unbelievable song. Thank you for posting it.
JGG
jggloa59 1 year ago 11
@jggloa59 I am full of admiration for Mario Lanza. However my favourite version of this wonderful carol is by Michael Crawford. Check it out and see what you think.
kristonuovo 1 month ago
I don't really like him...Don't kill me! He not quite in tune the entire time.
lorrainewands 1 year ago
There hasn't been another tenor with such a clear, confident and powerful voice ever since. Pavarotti is the closest there was to Mario Lanza. They're both legends!!
kidnbeast97 1 year ago 23
@kidnbeast97 May I just add "AMEN" to that - there never has been another Mario Lanza - he makes you feel what he is singing.
TimpleTapper 2 months ago 2
@kidnbeast97
In my opinion Luciano Pavarotti was the best of a poor lot the last 40+ years. Mario Lanza and Enrico Caruso will always be my favorites.
All the rest of these tenors are merely "also rans" I figured that out during the years I was doing Choir and Church music. The rest of these so called "great tenors" bore me to death with the lack of real depth in their voices.
injunjoe107 2 months ago
@injunjoe107 With all respect! look at the overall picture a beauty pagent is not qualifyed just for singing, Mr. Domingo It's a very complete package. Power like very few, Musician, Director, no one unites this many skills like He does: Overall Champion
zekesanchez52 2 months ago
@kidnbeast97
You clearly are delussional. You conveviently forgot about the Immortal Corelli !
TheOldSalts 2 months ago
@kidnbeast97 yes, and you can actually understand him when he sings!
VASINGER 2 months ago