Stan T. from CHEEKTOWAGA, NY Reviewed on 10/29/2009...
This is an excellent collection of songs and arias by the great Mario Lanza.
CD Reviews
A "must have" for any true Lanza fan
G. Sawaged | Canada | 12/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have loved Mario Lanza since I was a child. How can one not! That voice can make you cry, make you happy, make you feel emotions you didn't think possible to feel just from listening to music. It was actually listening to Mario Lanza, that made me appreciate opera and the classics. Something that otherwise I may never have bothered listening to. This collection of 3cds deserves 10 stars. Disc one has his Legendary Hits and his most romantic love songs. Disc 2 has his more exotic songs like 'Lygia' and 'Lady of Spain'. Then there are some terrific rarities from 'The Mario Lanza Show'. Disc 3 features some movie songs and then some fantastic Opera arias. This collection is also all digitally remastered, so the sound quality is wonderful. If you are a fan of Lanza, please, you need this collection. It is wonderful. And the 20 page booklet is packed with photos and an insightful essay on Lanza's life."
One of greatest tenors of the recorded era.
D. R. Schryer | Poquoson, VA United States | 08/01/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Mario Lanza was one of the gretest tenors of the recorded era. In my opinion, only Fritz Wunderlich was his equal. If you are a fan of Domingo or Pavorotti -- both of whom are fine tenors -- listen to Mario Lanza and hear how a truly great tenor sounds. Unfortunately, many people -- including critics -- don't take Lanza seriously because they believe MGM's publicity from his movie making days that he was a talented but untrained amateur. While Lanza was indeed extremely talented, he also had extensive formal training. But all this becomes immaterial when you hear this man's glorious voice. If you love great singing please treat yourself to this excellent set which covers a wide range of music from classical through popular."
WONDERFUL!!!!!
Richard D. Cappetto | Moodus, CT United States | 10/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Mario Lanza Collection is a three CD set and it has 61 songs and they all sound great. The mastering on this set is excellent and the song choice is very very good. It would have been perfect if they added a forth CD with more Arias, Italian songs and Sacred Arias. BUT still this set is a great introduction to Lanza. Lanza's voice was powerful and beautiful; if you are a fan of great singing, you will love Lanza. Highlights on this CD set are; Be my Love, Because your Mine, Serenade, With a Song in My Heart, Temptation, The Lord's Prayer, Ciribirbin, O Solo Mio, Ariverducci Roma, and on and on. They are many many great songs on this set, and I highly recommend it."
A Gift That Is Most Rare
BLee | HK | 06/15/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If I am not mistaken, Mario was taught by Gigli's teacher and Gigli was the greatest tenor since Caruso. There is a report that his teacher even preferred him to Gigli and his teacher refused to teach eversince... It doesn't matter much after all. Wasn't Pavarotti a primary school teacher before he started his singing career?Note Mario's voice and particularly his diction ( e.g., I am delighted by Richard Tauber, but his English diction just puts me off) : the result, so evocative that he is simply unsurpassed. He certainly outshone Domingo, Jose Cura or any other living tenor today.The only criticism is an irony by itself: Mario made classical music so popular that some no longer know whether he is a pop or classical opera singer. We have to come to terms with this fact: never was English taken to such a height of potency and beauty before, so much so that the English speaking people in general don't want to believe it!"