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 immigrants, Maria Lanza and Antonio Cocozza.
- Demonstrated vocal talent from a young age.
- Received vocal training from Irene Williams and Enrico Rosati.
- Briefly studied at the Berkshire Music Center (Tanglewood) in 1942.
Career and Major Achievements
- Made his operatic debut as Fenton in Nicolai's The Merry Wives of Windsor at the Tanglewood Music Festival in 1942.
- Signed a film contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1949.
- Starred in several successful musical films during the 1950s.
- Achieved international fame through his recordings and film performances.
- One notable career point includes a biography, "1988 mario lanza biography wikipedia" (though potentially from fan-created content) that sought to capture the essence of his career.
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 | The Seven Hills of Rome | Marc Revere |
| 1959 | For the First Time | Tonio Costa |
Discography (Selected Albums)
- The Great Caruso and Other Caruso Favorites
- Mario Lanza Sings Christmas Carols
- Mario Lanza in Concert
Legacy and Impact
Mario Lanza's powerful tenor voice and charismatic performances brought opera to a wider audience. He remains a popular figure in the history of vocal music and film. He inspired many subsequent artists and continues to be remembered for his passion and talent. His untimely death cut short a promising career.