Mario Lanza- a superb Lamento di Federico

Mario Lanza (1921-1959) sings the 'Lamento di Federico' from Cilea's "L'Arlesiana", in the 1956 Warner Bros. film "Serenade". The studio orchestra is conducted by Ray Heindorf.

This is arguably Lanza's best singing film, and the clip shows why- the voice is a bit darker and even more virile than it had been in previous years, loaded with squillo, and his stage presence is magnetic. Too many lyric tenors have crooned their way through this aria. The spinto weight of Lanza's voice and his raw emotion, on the other hand (not to mention the sheer gorgeous sound), give full measure to the character's utter despondence. Lanza's final 'Mi fai tanto male! Ahime!' sends shivers straight down my spine!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• opera
• verismo
• Mario
• Lanza
• tenor
• Warner
• Bros.
• film
• Serenade
• L'Arlesiana
• Francesco
• Cilea
• Daudet

[jackfrost281]

no one can match Lanza. Nor ever will

[jd1906sf]

One of the greatest losses to the world's opera houses was the fact Lanza only performed twice in repertory. This is a voice for the ages: power, passsion, color -- perfection. Imagine if he had honed it even further by performing on the world's stage. But his pathological self-doubt kept him away. This is a great, great Federico...bravo, Mario.

[MrSammyscroll]

Noone will ever sing this as well or better than Mario......if he were jewish, he would have been a great cantor.....

[princepeterwolf]

One of the best tenors ever. OMG he's like my new hero. Amazing

[petion2010]

@LetItBe920 I think it's from a movie.

[MuscleDaddyCMH]

@finetoonanimation

oh , and by the way, I agree with lots of people that this is one of the best there is.....

[MuscleDaddyCMH]

@finetoonanimation

Well it's interesting you say that , since in my car I have a cassette with Domingo doing exactly that. And Pavarotti did it often too.

[ejabarov]

Who are those dumb blind animals who voted NO?

[pianist527]

@maggipaolo You ask why? I tell you why. Just pure jealousy, lots of it, that's why. And I agree with you both, there will never come a tenor with such a magnificent voice, so kind and sweet as a human being and a singer so handsome. Never ever.

[1906sfjd]

I agree that Lanza is the most underrated tenor of all time: not by the general public, but by the opera world. This is as powerful and heartfelt a rendition of this aria that exists anywhere. His emotion is as compelling as any.

[boricuamuzik]

@Aetion Well for a lot of younger singers haven't even heard of this man! I couldn't believe it! Of course I know all the accomplishments he had in his career and how popular he was in his prime but ask anyone under 23 if they have ever heard of his Be My Love from his film Taste of New Orleans. Or his great Addio alla madre from Cavalleria Rusticana? I would be surprised how many will say, "Oh yeah, he is one of the greatest tenors of all time!" Obviously there are exceptions.