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Mario Lanza (31 January 1921 – 7 October 1959) (born Alfredo Arnold Cocozza) was an Italian American operatic tenor and Hollywood movie star, enjoying success in the 1950s.

Lanza was educated in the Berkshire School of Music. His first performances were with Victor Recordings, and he was eventually very successful on radio and concert tours; he appeared on Winged Victory while in the Air Force.Considered by many to have the perfect tenor voice. Lanza was able to sing all types of music. While his over-emotional style was not loved by the critics, he was immensely popular and his many recordings are still prized today. Lanza's short career covered radio, concerts, recordings, and motion pictures. He was the first artist for Victor Red Seal to receive a gold disc. He was also the first artist to sell two and half million albums. To date he has sold over 50,000,000 albums. Mario was no hollywood snob either, he enjoyed a good joke, and also liked to box. Contrary to popular belief Mario liked to drive, and drove himself to the stuido. Another rumor which has been proven false is that he was an alcoholic, a drug addict, and a glutton. In truth he was none of those things; nor should he be remembered for that; Mario should be remembered for his magnificent voice, because no one before, since, or those still to come will ever sound like Mario Lanza. He died at the age of thirty-eight of a heart attack.

Filmography

• That Midnight Kiss, 1949
• The Toast of New Orleans, 1950
• The Great Caruso, 1951
• Because you're mine, 1952
• The Student Prince, 1954 - voice only
• Serenade, 1956
• Seven Hills of Rome, 1958
• For the First Time, 1959

External Link

Mario Lanza Institute

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