Mario Lanza ~ Opera Arias & Duets, from Andréa Chenier · La Bohème · I Pagliacci · Madama Butterfly · Otello
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Free Music Notes for Mario Lanza ~ Opera Arias & Duets, from Andréa Chenier · La Bohème · I Pagliacci · Madama Butterfly · Otello
Free Music Review: The Lanza Legend: Fact and Fiction
Hit: 5 Stars
Being that tomorrow, January 31st, would've marked the 80th birthday of Mario Lanza, I feel it fitting that this particular CD serve as a way of finally settling fact from fiction in understanding the Lanza legacy. First, Lanza was (in fact) initially a tenor on his way to possibly doing great things within the opera world before making his first film in 1949. In fact, the NY Metroplitan and SF Opera both showed enormous interest in trying to secure this vocal phenomenon when he was still in his twenties. Lanza also received vocal coaching from legends such as Enrico Rossati and Giacomo Spadoni. Even Toscanini was to have proclaimed Lanza's natural voice perhaps one of the greatest of the 20th Century! More interesting is the fact that anyone who heard or saw Lanza record or perform "in person" all insisted that his natural vocal ability was second to none - even establised tenors. Many of today's best tenors are still in awe of Lanza's God-given ability, not to mention the legendary, unmatched power of his enormous voice. If the selections on this CD prove anything, they prove that whatever Lanza lacked technically, he more than made for in the dynamics, diction, timbre, power and excitement of his interpretations of these classic arias. They also prove that Lanza was an original tenor who copied no one who came before him. Perhaps this is why nearly all of the greatest tenors since his death have all cited his legendary career as the reason they decided to perform opera!Free Music Review: Mario Lanza: Opera Arias & Duets...What Might Have Been
Hit: 5 Stars
Toscanini called Lanza's voice the "Greatest natural tenor voice of the 20th Century." In listening to this disc one understands why he made this amazing statement. Every track is wonderful and exciting listening, but the real gems are the recordings which have, up to now, never been released. The lovely aria "Amor ti vieta" from Giordano's seldom performed FEDORA is sung so lyrically at the start and then builds to a wonderful verismo climax. His reading of "Lamento di Federico" from L'ARLESIANA, finds Lanza in beautiful shape vocally and his investment of passion and pathos of this work is overflowing. One note regarding this aria from this seldom done work; would that Mario have observed the composers dynamics a bit more. It is a lyric piece and often times more effective when sung with that type of approach. One of the finest tracks on this reasonably priced recording is the third act duet from Verdi's OTELLO. Lanza is partnered by the great soprano Licia Albanese. The singing is glorious and had Mario lived past the age of 38, he would have, in all likelihood, have created an Otello on the opera stage that would have rivaled even Del Monaco and Domingo. Certain music critics still turn their noses up at the mention of Mario Lanza doubting his legitimacy as a classical vocalist. To them I commend this recording. Listen, and with objectivity, and you will hear the "Greatest natural tenor voice of the 20th Century."Free Music Review: Still the greatest after 43 years
Hit: 5 Stars
I recented re-discovered Mario Lanza after many years. As a child I listened to his songs over and over and even memorized the words to most of them. I have never forgotten him. I think this is remarkable since I was so young when he was making movies. I recently have purchased a number of CD's after watching "The Great Caruso" video many years after seeing the movie. I particularly liked the opera numbers. I am not a singer but I know music. I play the piano, organ and flute and have had many years of lessons. I have been playing this CD over and over because it is so beautiful. I hear very few errors. It all seems beautiful to me. I think Mario Lanza is the greatest voice I have ever heard, period. He certainly could have been the greatest opera star in the world if he had so desired. I think every song on this CD is wonderful, particularly the aria from Fedora. No one could sing with such passion and power. I have listened to the opera greats and I have heard no one who comes close. May he live on in memory as the greatest tenor ever!Free Music Review: Mario Lanza, the man who sang with his soul
Hit: 5 Stars
This is an extraordinary CD. Mario Lanza is at his best, with some of the most stunning interpretations in opera: the two André Chenier arias, the superb Otello with Licia Albanese and the Butterfly with Elaine Malbin !
This CD brought me back to rediscover Mario Lanza five years ago and to try to know more . It ended up with the Creation of the Opera Club de Paris Mario Lanza, the opening of a website ([...]), trips to Philadelphia to attend every first week end of november the finals of the The Lanza Ball (International Singing contest, some winners Juan Diego Flores, Joyce di Donato etc...). I buy regularly this CD and give it to friends, clients and I tell them: "listen to real singing,listen to a man who sang with his soul. Now go to the site and discover the most extraordinary voice and emotion ever" !
2009 will be the commemoration of Mario Lanza's passing on october 7, 1959 at the age of 38, and we will remind the world of the great artist;
Best
Lanzama
Free Music Review: Glad it's finally out on CD
Hit: 5 Stars
I bought this album back in the 60's and am so happy it's finally been released on CD. There are some tracks here that you'll find on no other disc. By the way, I am always amused by folks who try to put limits on Lanza's greatness such as the earlier reviewer here who said "He was no opera singer". I imagine, if you put constraints around the definition of greatness and artistic beauty, one can arrive at any conclusion one wishes. But, I have listened with great pleasure (in person and on recordings) to many great voices and have never found an equal to Lanza's God-given, natural talent. Perhaps, if Lanza had lived longer, he could have satisfied more of his technical critics. But, if I have to choose, I will take a "technically imperfect" Lanza over anyone else. The voice is the voice.