Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy (Great Voices 7)
by Armando Cesari

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Book Reviews of Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy (Great Voices 7)

Book Review: Mario's Time To Shine
Summary: 5 Stars

Mr. Cesari brings to this work thirty years' worth of interviews and research and that, along with his expertise, gives us a valid picture of where the Lanza voice should be placed in the world of serious music. Mario's talent should be recognized as the phenomenon it is. From the lush pool of quotes, we become familiar with how critics and fellow artists felt about his natural gift. Mr. Cesari interviewed figures including friends, operatic artists, musicians, movie actors, family members, managers, conductors, and many other people who came into contact with Mario on a personal level. Every quote is substantiated by a footnote telling its source. Even though he did not follow an operatic career, there are many tributes from operatic artists attesting to the idea that he could have been one of the most successful divos of his day. And so, we get a well-rounded portrait of this man as well.

I especially liked reading some of the critics' accounts of his concerts from the beginning of his career until his last concert tour in Europe. From 1947, here is (in part) what Claudia Cassidy wrote after Mario's concert at Grant Park, in Chicago: "Lanza sings for the indisputable reason that he was born to sing. He has a superbly natural tenor which he uses by instinct, and though a multitude of fine points evade him, he possesses the things almost impossible to learn. He knows the accent that makes a lyric line reach its audience, and he knows why opera is music drama." Even toward the end of his life he continued to impress his listeners. This from his accompanist, Constantine Callinicos on what was Mario's last concert in Kiel, Germany in 1958: "He seemed that night to be at the height of his powers as a singer. His voice, "darker" and richer than I had heard it in years, thrilled me. Its volume and substance rivaled any male voice I had ever heard in my life." Of that same concert, music critic Dr. Kurt Klukist of the "Lubecher Nachricten", wrote: "(Lanza) really can sing. The material belonging to this wonderfully melodious tenor is a natural gift...It is difficult to know what to admire most. The faultless breathing technique, the elastic precision of his wording, the light "piano". The constantly desciplined "forte".. The well-synchronized join between registers. When he is not singing, he seems a little nervous. When he sings, he is fully relaxed...[there was] applause and more applause." This, indeed, was an artist to be reckoned with.

Mario has been often been touted as a difficult person to work with. Mr. Cesari spoke with John Green, the MGM Musical Director, and this is what he remembered about Mario: "I was convinced when I was working with Mario, and I still am, that the instrument itself, the voice itself was the voice of the next Caruso. Mario had an unusual, very unusual quality...a tenor with a baritone color in the middle and lower registers and a great feeling for the making of music. A great musicality. I found it fascinating, musically, to work with Mario. He had a sensational ear and he was bright..Mario was not stupid at all! I was very fond of him. He was capable of such warmth and he had a nice sense of humor. You could have great fun with Mario." It is a pleasure to read accounts like this because some of his previous biographers tended to focus on his negative behavior. Of course, some of Mario's playful antics are found in this work too, but they are not distracting.

Perhaps the most distressing event of Mario's life - his suspension and ultimate firing from MGM during the Student Prince filming is treated with as much sympathy as possible. Through interviews with those who were around Mario at that time, we are made aware of the extreme pressures that surrounded him. Mr. Cesari explains the various situations in Mario's life instead of just tossing out cold facts.

I found this book to be more than pleasurable to read. I believe it will do much to promote the musical legacy of Mario Lanza. I hope those who have never heard the voice will be enticed to listen to his many recordings still available today. The accompanying CD gives us a sampling of what he sounded like in home rehearsals and live performances. Hearing his voice as it "was" and not as a polished recording studio product is exciting. The sound quality is only as good as the recording technique of each venue allows it to be. Derek McGovern's liner notes reflect both his love and knowledge of Mario's music. He writes with humor and extraordinary sensitivity.

It is indeed, Mario's time once again to shine!

Summary of Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy (Great Voices 7)

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