Alfred Arnold Cocozza (Mario Lanza)
- Born:
- January 31, 1921, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Died:
- October 7, 1959, Rome, Italy
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Tenor, Actor
Early Life and Education
- Born to Italian immigrant parents.
- Showed early vocal talent, receiving informal training.
- Received a scholarship to the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood in 1942, studying with Boris Goldovsky and Leonard Bernstein.
Career and Major Achievements
- Made his operatic debut as Fenton in Nicolai's The Merry Wives of Windsor at Tanglewood in 1942.
- Signed a contract with MGM in 1949, launching his film career.
- Starred in several successful musical films, becoming a major Hollywood star in the 1950s.
- Achieved international fame for his powerful tenor voice and charismatic stage presence.
- His recordings were commercially successful and contributed to popularizing opera with a wider audience.
- Although there is no singular "1988 mario lanza biography wikipedia" entry as it exists now, information from various sources points to a continuous interest and research into his life and career, eventually forming the basis for online biographical resources.
Notable Works
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 | That Midnight Kiss | Johnny Donnetti |
| 1950 | The Toast of New Orleans | Pepe Abellard Duvalle |
| 1951 | The Great Caruso | Enrico Caruso |
| 1952 | Because You're Mine | Renaldo Rossano |
| 1956 | Serenade | Damon Vincenti |
| 1958 | Seven Hills of Rome | Marc Revere |
Discography (Selection)
- Mario Lanza Sings Christmas Carols
- The Great Caruso and Other Selections
- Mario Lanza at His Best
Legacy and Impact
Mario Lanza's powerful voice and captivating performances brought opera to a wider audience, leaving a significant mark on popular culture. He remains a popular figure, remembered for his talent and contribution to music and film.