Mario Lanza: The Best of Everything

One of the most famous tenors the world has ever known. One of the greatest tenors of the modern era. Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo and Bocelli — all of these iconic vocalists trace their inspiration back to one legendary talent: Mario Lanza.

Lanza became the first true crossover artist when MGM made him a matinee idol during the 1950s with box office hits such as "The Toast of New Orleans," "The Great Caruso" and "The Student Prince." 

One gold disc followed another thanks to operatic arias and pop hits such as "The Loveliest Night of the Year," "Because You're Mine," "Che Gelida Manina," "Golden Days" and his signature ballad "Be My Love." Lanza was idolized, but within ten years his star had burned itself out and he was dead at just thirty-eight years old. It was the first in a long list of tragic deaths of stars battling to live with fame and the darker side that comes with it.

Lanza was a Hollywood film star, but the most dramatic role he ever played was that of Mario Lanza himself. It was a life overflowing with fame, passion, tantrums, success, vices, generosity and incomprehensible tragedies. And it was played to a soundtrack of one of the most beautiful singing voices ever heard.