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Mario Lanza: A Discography
Operatic Recordings
by Derek McGovern

Picture
"Vogliatemi Bene" from Madama Butterfly, with Frances Yeend, soprano. Hollywood Bowl concert, 28 August 1947. Eugene Ormandy, conducting.  (Above) This audio recording is accompanied by images of Lanza and Yeend with fellow Bel Canto Trio member George London in 1947, photos of Lanza with Tomiko Kanazawa (his Butterfly at the New Orleans Opera in 1948), assorted pics of Lanza at the Hollywood Bowl in 1947 and 1948, and a few frames from the Madama Butterfly scene with Kathryn Grayson in The Toast of New Orleans (1950).   (7:26)  --Courtesy of Vincent Di Placido.
Picture
  • On the Forum: Lanza's 1949 Version of Che Gelida Manina

  • On the Forum: E Lucevan le stelle

  • On the Forum: Niun Mi Tema

  • On the Forum: Lamento di Federico

  • On the Forum: Lanza's Recordings of L'Improvviso from Andrea Chenier

Operatic Recordings
Where more than one version of a particular aria or duet exists, I've identified what I consider the best rendition(s) in bold. Roll over this bold text to locate the CD with the best reproduction of that recording. Where only one rendition exists, I've also identified the optimum CD source. (Again, simply scroll over the text with your mouse to locate these details.) Bear in mind, however, that not all of Lanza's operatic recordings are available on CD. Some are soundtrack recordings, for example, that are unlikely to be released commercially.

While SonyBMG has yet to release a CD comprising the best of Lanza's commercial operatic recordings, as a starting point the hard-to-find 2-CD set Mario Lanza: Encore! (BMG/Harvest Music, 1999) is highly recommended (even secondhand, which is probably the only viable option these days) for its excellent sound and generally well-chosen selection of arias (together with some fine recordings of Italian and Neapolitan songs).


The easier-to-find but uneven Mario Lanza: Opera Arias and Duets (BMG, 1999) also features some excellent material. (Click on these titles for my Amazon reviews.) There is relatively little overlapping between these two collections, with different versions of most of the arias that appear on both compilations. For Lanza's live operatic performances, the CD accompanying the second (2008) edition of Armando Cesari's biography Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy is by far the best compilation, and includes three Hollywood Bowl appearances (1947-49), operatic selections from a 1948 concert in Toronto, and some fascinating private recordings.  

L'Africana (Meyerbeer)

O Paradiso
  • 1950 RCA
  • 1951 Coca-Cola Radio Show
  • 1955 Serenade soundtrack with Jacob Gimpel, piano Serenade/A Cavalcade of Show Tunes (BMG UK, 2004)

Aida (Verdi)

Celeste Aida
  • 1948 José Iturbi, Conductor, That Midnight Kiss soundtrack
  • 1949 RCA Mario Lanza: The Legendary Tenor (BMG, 1987)
  • 1950 two takes for The Great Caruso Be My Love: Mario Lanza's Greatest Performances at MGM (Rhino, 1998)
  • 1952 Coca Cola Radio Show

Gloria all'Egitto (Grand March)
  • 1958 soundtrack, For the First Time For the First Time/Caruso Favorites (BMG/Collectables 2001)
    with the Rome Opera House Orchestra, chorus, and soloists (including bass-baritone Gian Giacomo Guelfi as Amonasro)

O Terra Addio
  • 1950 with Dorothy Kirsten, soprano and Blanche Thebom, mezzo-soprano, soundtrack, The Great Caruso

Andrea Chénier (Giordano)

Un Dì All'Azzurro Spazio (Improvviso)
  • 1944 (private recording)
  • 1947 Eugene Ormandy, conductor, Hollywood Bowl
  • 1950 RCA Mario Lanza: Opera Arias and Duets (BMG, 1999)
  • 1952 one home recordingCD accompanying Armando Cesari's book Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy, 2nd ed. (Baskerville Publishers, 2008)
  • 1952 Coca-Cola Show

Come un Bel Dì di Maggio
  • 1944 private recording
  • 1950 RCA Mario Lanza: Opera Arias and Duets (BMG, 1999)
  • 1952 Coca Cola Show Mario Lanza: Original Album Classics (5-CD set) (SonyBMG, 2009)

L'Arianna (Monteverdi)

Lasciatemi Morire
  • 1958 Albert Hall recital Mario Lanza: Live from London (BMG, 1994)

L'Arlesiana (Cilea)

È la Solita Storia (Lamento di Federico)
  • 1948 Toronto concert CD accompanying Armando Cesari's book Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy, 2nd ed. (Baskerville Publishers, 2008)
  • 1952 Coca Cola Radio Show
  • 1955 Serenade soundtrack with Jacob Gimpel, piano Serenade/A Cavalcade of Show Tunes (BMG UK, 2004)
  • 1958 Albert Hall recital

La Bohème (Leoncavallo)

Testa Adorata
  • 1952 Coca-Cola Radio Show Mario Lanza: Opera Arias and Duets (BMG, 1999)

La Bohème (Puccini)

Che Gelida Manina
  • 1947 MGM test record
  • 1949 RCA Christmas Hymns/You Do Something to Me (Collectables, 2004)
  • 1950 two partial takes from The Great Caruso soundtrack
  • 1952 Coca-Cola Radio Show

O Soave Fanciulla
  • 1942 private recording with Lois MacMahon
  • 1947 with Frances Yeend, soprano, Hollywood Bowl CD accompanying Armando Cesari's book Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy, 2nd ed. (Baskerville Publishers, 2008)
  • 1948 with Kathryn Grayson, soprano, Hollywood Bowl
  • 1955 Serenade soundtrack with Jean Fenn, soprano

Marcello Finalmente
  • 1942 primitive private recording with Robert Weede

Ci Lasceremo alla Stagion dei Fiori
  • 1955 unreleased recording for Serenade soundtrack

Act IV (Extract only, in English)
  • 1948 with George London, bass-baritone and Frances Yeend, soprano and others Not available commercially, but can be heard in our Films and Live Performances section under 'Firsthand Accounts of Working with Mario Lanza: Herbert Grossman.'

Carmen (Bizet)

La Fleur que Tu M'avais Jetée (Flower Song)
  • 1949 soundtrack for Toast of New Orleans
  • 1950 two takes for RCA; the 'official' take is superiorChristmas Hymns/You Do Something to Me (Collectables, 2004)
  • 1952 Coca Cola Radio Show

Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni)

Brindisi
  • 1950 (partial version, The Great Caruso soundtrack

Bada, Santuzza, Schiavo Non Son!
  • 1950 with Marina Koshetz, soprano, soundtrack to The Great Caruso

Mamma, Quel Vino è Generoso (Addio alla Madre)
  • 1944 private recording
  • 1950 RCA Lanza: Greatest Hits (BMG, 1995)
  • 1951 soundtrack to Because You're Mine
  • 1952 Coca-Cola Radio Show

Così Fan Tutte (Mozart)

E Voi Ridete
  • 1958 soundtrack to For the First Time, with the Rome Opera House Orchestra and unidentified soloists

L'Elisir d'Amore (Donizetti)

Una Furtiva Lagrima
  • 1947 Hollywood Bowl concert, Eugene Ormandy, conductingMario Lanza: Live at the Hollywood Bowl: Historical Recordings 1947 & 1951 (Gala, 2000)
  • 1948 partial rendition for That Midnight Kiss
  • 1950 RCA
  • 1952 Coca Cola Radio Show

Fedora (Giordano)

Amor Ti Vieta
  • 1952 Coca-Cola Radio show
  • 1955 Serenade soundtrack with Jacob Gimpel, piano Serenade/A Cavalcade of Show Tunes (BMG UK, 2004)

La Fanciulla del West (Puccini)

Ch'Ella Mi Creda
  • 1940 primitive private recording

La Forza del Destino (Verdi)

O Tu Che in Seno agli'Angeli
  • 1950 RCA Christmas Hymns/You Do Something to Me (Collectables, 2004)/ Mario Lanza: Encore! (Harvest/BMG, 1999)
  • 1952 Coca-Cola Radio Show)

La Gioconda (Ponchielli)

Cielo e Mar
  • 1950 RCA
  • 1952 Coca-Cola radio show Mario Lanza: Original Album Classics (5-CD set) (SonyBMG, 2009)

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti)

Verranno a Te sull'Aure
  • 1949 with Kathryn Grayson, soprano (Radio Show)

Chi Mi Frena in Tal Momento? (Sextet)
  • 1950 with Gilbert Russell, Blanche Thebom, Nicola Moscona, Giuseppe Valdengo, Dorothy Kirsten, The Great Caruso soundtrack

Madama Butterfly (Puccini)

Vogliatemi Bene
  • 1947 with Frances Yeend, soprano, Hollywood Bowl CD accompanying Armando Cesari's book Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy, 2nd ed. (Baskerville Publishers, 2008)
  • 1949 two takes with Kathryn Grayson, soprano for Toast of New Orleans

Stolta Paura . . . Vogliatemi Bene
  • 1950 RCA two takes with Elaine Malbin, soprano (one take only released commercially)

Madame Sans-Gêne (Giordano)

Questa Tua Bocca Profumata e Pura
  • 1952 incomplete home recording

Martha (Von Flotow)

M'apparì
  • 1950 RCA Mario Lanza: Opera Arias and Duets (BMG, 1999)
  • 1950 partial take for soundtrack of The Great Caruso

Act IV Finale
  • 1950 with Dorothy Kirsten, soprano, Giuseppe Valdengo, baritone, and Blanche Thebom, soprano for soundtrack of The Great Caruso

    L'Onestà negli Amori (Scarlatti)

    Già il Sole del Gange
  • 1958 Royal Albert Hall recital

Otello (Verdi)

Brindisi (as Cassio)
  • 1945 live radio broadcast: Great Moments in Music

Già nella Notte Densa
  • 1945 live radio broadcast with Jean Tennyson, soprano CD accompanying Armando Cesari's book Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy, 2nd ed. (Baskerville Publishers, 2008)

Dio Ti Giocondi
  • 1955 with Gloria Boh, soprano, July (outtake) Lanza/Boh, Duet not on CD; can be heard in our Films and Live Performances section 'Firsthand Accounts of Working with Mario Lanza'
  • 1955 Serenade soundtrack recording with Licia Albanese, soprano, Ray Heindorf, conductor, November Lanza/Albanese Duet: Mario Lanza: Opera Arias and Duets (BMG, 1999)

Dio! Mi Potevi Scagliar (Monologue)
  • 1955 Serenade soundtrack, Ray Heindorf, conductor Mario Lanza: Opera Arias and Duets (BMG, 1999) and Serenade/A Cavalcade of Show Tunes (BMG UK, 2004)

Niun Mi Tema (Death Scene)
  • 1958 soundtrack to For the First Time, with the Rome Opera House Orchestra Mario Lanza: Encore! (Harvest/BMG, 1999)

Pagliacci (Leoncavallo)

Un Tal Gioco
  • 1952 Coca Cola Radio Show
  • 1952 home recording CD accompanying Armando Cesari's book Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy, 2nd ed. (Baskerville Publishers, 2008)

Vesti la Giubba
  • 1940 private recording
  • 1944 private recording for friend Maria Margelli
  • 1945 one RCA test recording; the other a live radio performance
  • 1947 MGM test recording
  • 1948 Toronto
  • 1948 two live radio renditions
  • 1950 six renditions: two for The Great Caruso, one for Hedda Hopper Radio Show
  • 1950 RCA three recordings
  • 1951 Coca-Cola Radio Show
  • 1958 For the First time soundtrack For the First Time/Caruso Favorites' (Collectables, 2001)

Rigoletto (Verdi)

Questa o Quella
  • 1950 RCA Encore! (Harvest/BMG, 1999)
  • 1951 partial version Because You're Mine soundtrack
  • 1951 Coca-Cola show
  • 1957 soundtrack to Seven Hills of Rome

È il Sol dell'Anima . . . Addio, Addio
  • 1949 Hollywood Bowl concert with Mary Jane Smith, sopranoCD accompanying Armando Cesari's book Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy, 2nd ed. (Baskerville Publishers, 2008)
  • 1950 with Jarmila Novotna, soprano, an unreleased version recorded for The Great Caruso
  • 1951 Addio, Addio only (with Peggy Bonini, soprano), Because You're Mine soundtrack

Parmi Veder le Lagrime
  • 1950 RCAMario Lanza: The Legendary Tenor: Historical Recordings 1949-1959 (Gala 1998)
  • 1952 Coca-Cola Radio Show

Bella Figlia dell’Amore (partial)
  • 1950 The Great Caruso soundtrack
  • 1958 brief snippet For the First Time soundtrack

La Donna è Mobile
  • 1948 Toronto concert CD accompanying Armando Cesari's book Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy, 2nd ed. (Baskerville Publishers, 2008)
  • 1950 three renditions: two for The Great Caruso; one for RCA—plus a partial retake
  • 1951 in English as 'Woman Is Fickle', Coca-Cola Radio Show
  • 1952 Coca-Cola Radio Show
  • 1958 two renditions: Albert Hall recital; For the First Time soundtrack

Der Rosenkavalier (Strauss)

Di Rigori Armato il Seno
  • 1955 Serenade soundtrack with Jacob Gimpel, piano Serenade/A Cavalcade of Show Tunes (BMG UK, 2004)

Tosca (Puccini)

Recondita Armonia
  • 1945 live Celanese Radio broadcast
  • 1950 RCA Encore! (Harvest/BMG, 1999)
  • 1951 Coca-Cola Radio Show

Qual Occhio al Mondo
  • 1955 outtake for soundtack of Serenade

Act I Love Duet excluding “Qual Occhio”
  • 1945 live Celanese Radio broadcast with Jean Tennyson, soprano

E Lucevan le Stelle
  • 1940 private recording
  • 1944 private recording for friend Maria Margelli
  • 1945 RCA test recording; live radio performance on Great Moments in Music
  • 1947 Hollywood Bowl concert
  • 1948 live radio performance on Elgin Watch Thanksgiving Special
  • 1950 RCA Encore! (Harvest/BMG, 1999)
  • 1951Coca-Cola Radio Show
  • 1954 Shower of Stars live version
  • 1957 two: London Palladium
  • 1958 Royal Albert Hall

  • La Traviata (Verdi)

    Libiamo Libiamo, Libiamo Nei Lieti Calici
    • 1949 with Kathryn Grayson, soprano, Toast of New Orleans soundtrack (not on CD)
    • 1950 RCA with Elaine Malbin

    Dei Miei Bollenti Spiriti
    • 1940 primitive private recording

    Parigi, O Cara
    • 1947 Hollywood Bowl concert with Frances Yeend, soprano Eugene Ormandy, conductorCD accompanying Armando Cesari's book Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy, 2nd ed. (Baskerville Publishers, 2008)

    Il Trovatore (Verdi)

    Sconto col Sangue Mio
    • 1950 with Lucina Amara, sop., soundtrack to The Great Caruso

    Di Quella Pira
    • 1955 Serenade soundtrack Serenade/A Cavalcade of Show Tunes (BMG UK, 2004)

    Turandot (Puccini)

    Nessun Dorma
    • 1948 Hollywood Bowl 1948 Miklos Rosza, conductorCD accompanying Armando Cesari's book Mario Lanza: An American Tragedy, 2nd ed. (Baskerville Publishers, 2008)
    • 1955 two takes for the soundtrack of Serenade


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