Mario Lanza Live At The Hollywood Bowl: Historical Recordings (1947 & 1951)
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Free Music Notes for Mario Lanza Live At The Hollywood Bowl: Historical Recordings (1947 & 1951)
Free Music Review: Buy this for the first six tracks only!
Hit: 5 Stars
This CD contains both the very best and the very worst of the vastly underrated Mario Lanza. First things first, ignore the absurdly inaccurate liner notes. Lanza did NOT have a small voice - indeed fellow musicians who sang with him often remarked that it was a huge and powerful instrument. Lanza's voice did not "crack down" in his last years, as the liner notes writer asserts; rather it was his health that "cracked down" in the final year of his life.These recordings, however, demonstrate the tenor in the full bloom of health. The outstanding selections are tracks 1-6, which come from his extraordinary Hollywood Bowl debut in 1947. You'll never hear a better Lanza rendition of the Madama Butterfly Love Duet (with soprano Frances Yeend) than the one included here. This is sensitive AND passionate singing of the highest order, and listening to this rendition today it is not surprising that MGM signed the tenor up for a movie career the very next day. All six selections are outstanding, and many will be surprised by the beautiful legato Lanza employs in the difficult Parigi, O Cara from La Traviata.
The six initial tracks are more than worth the price of the CD, and make up for the shortcomings of the remaining selections, all of which come from Lanza's Coca-Cola radio show of 1951-52. The latter tracks show the tenor at his commercial worst. Diane is an abomination, and there are several other selections that should never have seen the light of day. Fortunately, however, there are a few nuggets among the dross, and "If" is a most attractive and exciting performance.
The sound is not brilliant on the Coke Show selections (these are not the pristine BMG recordings, and all come with overlaid applause tracks). Ironically, the live Hollywood Bowl selections have much better sound.
But don't let the "Coke" numbers put you off buying this CD. The Hollywood Bowl concert is a masterpiece, and should be required listening for all who scoff at this "movie tenor".
Free Music Review: A Rare Find!
Hit: 5 Stars
The "Live From London" is my favorite cd and this is a close second. I usually listen to the Bowl selections only and save the Coca-Cola radio program for another time. The recording quality is not the best, but this is a wonderful sourvenir of the young singer in excellent voice and delivery at the begining of his career. The selections with soprano Frances Yeend are a wonderful addition since there are few recorded "live concert" Lanza duets available outside of this venue (there are recordings of his later Bowl appearances you may want to check out). Mario's introductions show his warmth and humor. It was at this concert that MGM took notice and his career moved to the movie studios. We are fortunate to have this recording. One of the highlights of the Coke show program is Mario's introduction to the "Our Father". Disregard the liner notes. For value delivered, this cd rates five stars!Free Music Review: The Greatest Voice of All Time
Hit: 5 Stars
Mario Lanza was the greatest voice of all time because of the depth, breath, and sheer beauty of his natural tenor qualities and his magnificent ability to sing in nearly all fields supremely well. These recordings are good examples of the range and power and unique ability of this splendid artist who still captures the imagination of those who listen to his voice for the first time and those who cannot stop listening.Free Music Review: This is where he started
Hit: 5 Stars
This is a must cd for anyone who is
a Mario Lanza fan. This is where he
started.The music is wonderful.
Free Music Review: The Young Lanza impresses
Hit: 4 Stars
I am a singer and have been a Mario Lanza fan since becoming interested in opera in my teens. The quality of his singing varied a great deal, especially in his later years. But this Hollywood Bowl concert, at age 26, shows him with a freshness and ease of production that failed him later in life. Highlights for me were the Boheme Duet - I don't know of any of the current tenor stars who would dare to hold the High A for so long and then jump right to the High C and be able to sustain it. The Andrea Chenier demonstrates his spinto side and the beauty of his middle and lower voice. One weeps for what might have been. But I will put this recording against Mr. Alagna any day of the week.
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