Mario Lanza: A Discography
Italian and Neapolitan Song Recordings
Compiled by Derek McGovern
Mario Lanza - Mamma Mia, Che Vo Sape
Listen to Lanza above in the acetate version of his December 1948 film recording of "Mamma Mia, Che Vo' Sape?"
Please note: Where more than one version of a particular Italian or Neapolitan song exists, I have underlined what I consider the best rendition(s). I have also provided what I believe to be the optimum sound source on CD. Many of these recommendations are for CDs released between 2015 and 2025 by the London-based music specialists Sepia Records. Please note that while I was one of the compilers for these CDs, and also wrote the accompanying booklet notes, neither I nor my fellow compilers (Lanza biographer Armando Cesari, Vincent Di Placido, Carmel Parisi et al) have any financial interest in these releases. We gave our time to these CD projects simply out of a desire to see justice done to Lanza's recorded legacy, and the Sepia series has also included many non-commercial (live, private, and rare studio acetate) recordings that are unavailable to RCA (Lanza's official recording company) or its subsequent incarnations BMG and Sony.
In December 1958 Lanza recorded one album exclusively devoted to Neapolitan songs: the superb Mario! (now titled Mario! Lanza At His Best on CD). [See Vincent Di Placido's excellent video about this album at the bottom of this page.] This album has been released in two formats by BMG/Sony: first as an indifferently remastered conventional CD in 1995 and later as a SACD (Super Audio CD) in 2006. The latter is a vast improvement on the earlier disc, and can be played on both SACD players as well as conventional CD players. Its only drawback is that it is generally expensive and hard to find, as Sony (inexplicably) discontinued it a few years after its release.
A more affordable option may be the 2015 Sepia Records release My Italian Soul, sourced and remastered from the LP of Mario! and also including highlights from the excellent 1959 album Mario Lanza Sings Caruso Favorites, as well as some of Lanza's earlier recordings of Neapolitan and Italian songs. My Italian Soul has a particularly mellow "vinyl" sound, in contrast with the SACD, which features a brighter sound with more orchestral detail (and different mixes in several instances). More information about this release can be found here.
Sepia also included what are arguably the four finest tracks from the Mario! album---"Voce 'e Notte," "Canta Pe' Mme," "'Na Sera 'e Maggio," and "Passione"---on its 2020 CD Mario Lanza: Classics. In my opinion, the improved sound quality on these four tracks surpasses even the outstanding SACD, although those who prefer a more dominant and detailed orchestra will probably still favor the latter. To listen to a comparison between the SACD reproduction of the 1958 "'Na Sera 'e Maggio" and the Sepia Classics reproduction, click here for the former and here for the latter.
Italian Song Recordings
L'Alba Separa dalla Luce L'Ombra
(Tosti-D'Annunzio)
- June 1959 (a) RCA The Immortal Voice of Mario Lanza: A Centennial Celebration (Sepia, 2021)
Arrivederci, Roma
(Rascel-Garinei-Giovannini)
- June 1957 (b) (with child street singer Luisa di Meo) Seven Hills of Rome soundtrack Mario Lanza: The Legendary Tenor (RCA, 1987) Note: Lanza also recorded this song in English (see English Recordings for details).
Ciribiribin
(Tiochet-Pestalozza)
- December 1951 (c) Coca-Cola radio show The Mario Lanza Collection (BMG, 1991)
La Danza
(Rossini)
- 7 August 1950 (d) The Great Caruso soundtrack The Undiscovered Mario Lanza: Rare Recordings and Hidden Gems (Sepia Records, 2022) [superior acetate version]
- 23 June 1951 (c) Coca-Cola radio show Mario Lanza: Don't Forget Me (RCA/BMG, 1993)
- 28 June 1955 (e) Serenade soundtrack Mario Lanza: My Italian Soul (Sepia Records, 2015)
Ideale
(Tosti-Errico)
- June 1959 (a) RCA Mario Lanza: Encore! (Harvest/BMG, 1999)
Lolita
(Buzzi-Peccia)
- 28 October 1949 (f) RCA The Mario Lanza Collection (BMG, 1991)
- 29 June 1951 (c) Coca-Cola radio show Mario Lanza: The Toast of Hollywood (Sony/TCM 2-CD set, 2013)
- June 1957 (b) Seven Hills of Rome soundtrack Mario Lanza: Original Album Classics [5-CD set] (BMG/Sony, 2009)
- June 1959 (a) RCA For the First Time/Mario Lanza Sings Caruso Favorites (BMG/Collectables, 2001)
Luna d’Estate
(Tosti)
- June 1959 (a) RCA Mario Lanza: My Italian Soul (Sepia Records, 2015)
Mattinata
(Leoncavallo)
- 6 June 1945 (g) (Two RCA test recordings, one of which can be heard here)
- 23 August 1949 (f) RCA Serenade: A Mario Lanza Songbook (Sony/BMG, 2009)
- 7 August 1950 The Great Caruso soundtrack (a cappella rendition)
- 21 August 1951 (c) Coca-Cola radio show
La Mia Canzone
(Tosti-Cimmino)
- June 1959 (a) RCA Mario Lanza: All the Things You Are (Sepia, 2019)
Musica Proibita
(Gastaldon)
- 3 April 1952 (h) Coca-Cola radio show Serenade: A Mario Lanza Songbook (Sony/BMG, 2009)
- June 1959 (a) RCA Mario Lanza: All the Things You Are (Sepia, 2019)
Neapolitan Love Song
(from Princess Pat) (Herbert-Blossom)
- 29 November 1951 (c) Coca-Cola Radio Show Serenade: A Mario Lanza Songbook (SonyBMG, 2009)
Non Ti Scordar di Me
(De Curtis-Furno)
- 3 April 1952 (h) Coca-Cola radio show Serenade: A Mario Lanza Songbook (SonyBMG, 2009)
Parlami d’Amore, Mariù
(Bixio-Neri)
(also recorded in English as "Tell Me that You Love Me Tonight")
- 2 May 1952 (h) Coca-Cola radio show Mario Lanza: The Quintessential Tenor (Sepia, 2023)
Santa Lucia
(Palardi?-Anonymous)
- 9 August 1950 (i) recorded for The Great Caruso (but cut from the film) Mario Lanza: The Quintessential Tenor (Sepia, 2023)
- 11 March 1952 (c) Coca-Cola radio show Mario Lanza: Don't Forget Me (RCA/BMG, 1993)
- 31 October 1957 (i) The Christophers TV program [Watch it here]
- June 1959 (a) RCA Mario Lanza: Encore! (Harvest/BMG, 1999)
Serenata
(Bracco-Caruso)
- June 1959 (a) RCA Mario Lanza: Encore! (Harvest/BMG, 1999) / Mario Lanza: My Italian Soul (Sepia 2015)
Serenata (Notturno d'Amore)
(Drigo)
- 6 June 1950 (k) RCA Mario Lanza: Classics (Sepia, 2020)
- 15 June 1951 (c) Coca-Cola Radio Show Mario Lanza: The Best of Everything (Sony 2-CD set, 2017) [transcription in reasonable sound]
Serenata (Rimpianto)
(Toselli-Silvestri)
- 6 June 1950 (k) RCA Mario Lanza: Night and Day (Sepia, 2025)
- 8 June 1951 (c) Coca-Cola radio show Serenade: A Mario Lanza Songbook (Sony/BMG, 2009)
La Spagnola
(Dole-Di Chiara)
- 9 May 1952 (h) Coca-Cola radio show Serenade: A Mario Lanza Songbook (Sony/BMG, 2009)
Vaghissima Sembianza
(S. Donaudy-A. Donaudy)
- June 1959 (a) RCA Mario Lanza: The Quintessential Tenor (Sepia, 2023)
Vieni sul Mar
(Anonymous)
- June 1959 (a) RCA Mario Lanza: All the Things You Are (Sepia, 2019)
Neapolitan Song Recordings
'A Vucchella
(Tosti-D'Annunzio)
- 18 December 1950 (p) The Great Caruso soundtrack
- 23 February 1951 (l) RCA Mario Lanza: Golden Days (Sepia, 2024)
- 20 July 1951 Coca-Cola radio show Mario Lanza: The Toast of Hollywood (Sony/TCM 2-CD set, 2013)
- 1952 (w) private recording (Not available commercially)
- 16 August 1958 (q) recital Mario Lanza: Live from London (RCA/BMG, 1994)
Canta Pe' Me
(Bovio-De Curtis)
- 29 April 1952 (h) Coca-Cola radio show Mario Lanza: Don't Forget Me (RCA/BMG, 1993)
- December 1958 (r) RCA Mario! Lanza At His Best (Sony/BMG SACD, 2006) / Mario Lanza: Classics (Sepia, 2020)
Comme Facette Mammeta?
(Capaldo-Gambardela)
- December 1958 (r) RCA Mario! Lanza At His Best (Sony/BMG SACD, 2006)
Core 'Ngrato
(Cordiffero-Cardillo)
- 5 May 1949 (l) RCA The Immortal Voice of Mario Lanza: A Centennial Celebration (Sepia, 2021)
- 21 March 1952 (h) Coca-Cola radio show Mario Lanza: Don't Forget Me (RCA/BMG, 1993)
Fenesta Che Lucive
(Anonymous)
- 28 March 1952 (h) Coca-Cola radio show Serenade: A Mario Lanza Songbook (Sony/BMG, 2009)
- December 1958 (r) RCA Mario Lanza: My Italian Soul (Sepia Records CD, 2015)
Funiculì Funiculà
(Turco-Denza)
- December 1958 (r) RCA Mario! Lanza At His Best (Sony/BMG SACD, 2006)
Dicitencello Vuie
(Fusco-Falvo)
- 28 March 1952 (h) Coca-Cola radio show Serenade: A Mario Lanza Songbook (Sony/BMG, 2009)
- December 1958 (r) RCA Mario! Lanza At His Best (Sony/BMG SACD, 2006) / Mario Lanza: My Italian Soul (Sepia, 2015)
Mamma Mia, Che Vò Sapé?
(Russo-Nutile)
- 1 December 1948 (m) That Midnight Kiss soundtrack Mario Lanza: All the Things You Are (Sepia, 2019)
- 5 May 1949 (l) RCA Mario Lanza: Golden Days (Sepia, 2024)
- 29 September 1949 (n) radio
- 29 November 1949 (o) radio
- 27 June 1951 (c) Coca-Cola radio show
- 12 July 1951 (p) soundtrack of Because You're Mine
- 16 January 1958 (q) recital Mario Lanza: Live from London (RCA/BMG, 1994)
Marechiare
(Di Giacomo-Tosti)
- 9 August 1950 (d) soundtrack recording for The Great Caruso The Electrifying Mario Lanza (Sepia, 2022)
- 23 February 1951 (l) RCA Mario Lanza: Night and Day (Sepia, 2025)
- 24 July 1951 (c) Coca-Cola radio show
- 16 January 1958 (q) recital Mario Lanza: Live from London (RCA/BMG, 1994)
- 18 January 1958 (s) TV appearance
Maria Marì
(Russo-Di Capua)
- 3 April 1952 (h) Coca-Cola radio show
- December 1958 (r) RCA Mario Lanza: Poetry and Passion (Sepia, 2018)
'Na Sera 'e Maggio
(Pisano-Cioffi)
- 3 April 1952 (h) rejected take, Coca-Cola radio show
- 24 April 1952 (h) Coca-Cola radio show Mario Lanza: Don't Forget Me (RCA/BMG, 1993)
- December 1958 (r) RCA Mario! Lanza At His Best (Sony/BMG SACD, 2006) / Mario Lanza: Classics (Sepia, 2020)
O Sole Mio
(Capurro-Di Capua)
- 28 October 1949 (f) RCA Serenade: A Mario Lanza Songbook (Sony/BMG, 2009)
- 14 June 1951 (c) Coca-Cola radio show Mario Lanza: The Definitive Collection (BMG UK, 2004)
- September 1958 (t) For the First Time soundtrack Mario Lanza: My Italian Soul (Sepia, 2015)
'O Surdato 'Nnammurato
(Califano-Cannio)
- December 1958 (r) RCA Mario! Lanza At His Best (Sony/BMG SACD, 2006) / Mario Lanza: My Italian Soul (Sepia, 2015)
Passione
(Bovio-Tagliaferi-Valente)
- December 1958 (r) RCA Mario! Lanza At His Best (Sony/BMG SACD, 2006) / Mario Lanza: Classics (Sepia, 2020)
Pecchè?
(deFlaviis-Pennino, one verse only)
- April 1940 (u) private recording. Can be heard here.
Santa Lucia Luntana
(Mario)
- 3 April 1952 (h) rejected take, Coca-Cola radio show Mario Lanza: Don't Forget Me (RCA/BMG, 1993)
- 24 April 1952 (h) Coca-Cola radio show Serenade: A Mario Lanza Songbook (Sony/BMG, 2009)
- December 1958 (r) RCA Mario! Lanza At His Best (Sony/BMG SACD, 2006) /The Immortal Voice of Mario Lanza: A Centennial Celebration (Sepia, 2021)
Click here to listen to the above Sepia reproduction.
Senza Nisciuno
(Barbieri-De Curtis)
- 3 May 1952 (h) Coca-Cola radio show Serenade: A Mario Lanza Songbook (Sony/BMG, 2009)
- June 1959 (a) RCA The Electrifying Mario Lanza (Sepia, 2022)
Torna a Surriento
(B.G. De Curtis-E. De Curtis)
- April 1940 (u) private recording
- 7 August 1950 (d) two partial takes (film take and outtake), The Great Caruso soundtrack
- 23 June 1951 (c) Coca-Cola radio show Mario Lanza: The Definitive Collection (BMG UK, 2004)
- 30 June 1955 (v) Serenade soundtrack The Immortal Voice of Mario Lanza: A Centennial Celebration (Sepia, 2021)
Tu Ca Nun Chiagne!
(Bovio-De Curtis)
- 3 May 1952 (h) Coca-Cola radio show Mario Lanza: Don't Forget Me (RCA/BMG, 1993)
- December 1958 (r) RCA Mario! Lanza At His Best (Sony/BMG SACD, 2006) / Mario Lanza: The Quintessential Tenor (Sepia, 2023)
Voce 'e Notte
(Lardini-De Curtis)
- December 1958 (r) RCA Mario! Lanza At His Best (Sony/BMG SACD, 2006) / Mario Lanza: Classics (Sepia, 2020)
Italian Art Songs
Già il Sole del Gange
(Scarlatti)
- 16 January 1958 (q) recital Mario Lanza: Live from London (BMG, 1994)
Pietà, Signore
(attributed to Stradella)
- 16 January 1958 (q) recital Mario Lanza: Live from London (BMG, 1994)
Key to recording details:
(a) Cinecittà Studios, Rome. Untitled orchestra; Paul Baron, conductor.
(b) Vatican Auditorium, Rome. RAI Symphony Orchestra; George Stoll, conductor.
(c) Radio Recorder Studios, Los Angeles. Untitled orchestra; Ray Sinatra, conductor.
(d) MGM Studios, Culver City. Irving Aaronson, pianist.
(e) Warner Bros. Studio, Burbank. Dominic Frontiere, piano accordionist.
(f) Republic Studios, Hollywood. RCA Victor Orchestra; Ray Sinatra, conductor.
(g) Lotos Club, New York City. Pianist unknown.
(h) Radio Recorder Studios, Los Angeles. Untitled orchestra; Constantine Callinicos, conductor.
(i) MGM Studios, Culver City. MGM Studio Orchestra; Peter Herman Adler, conductor.
(j) Vatican, Rome. American TV show ("The Christophers"), first broadcast in 1958. Paul Baron, pianist.
(k) Republic Studios, Hollywood. RCA Victor Orchestra; Constantine Callinicos, conductor.
(l) Manhattan Center, New York; RCA Victor Orchestra; Constantine Callinicos, conductor.
(m) MGM Studios, Culver City. Giacomo Spadoni, pianist.
(n) NBC studio, Los Angeles ("Screen Guild Theater"). NBC West Coast Orchestra; Henry Russell, conductor.
(o) "Life with Luigi," CBS radio broadcast. Untitled orchestra; conductor probably Lud Gluskin.
(p) MGM Studios, Culver City. MGM Studio Orchestra; John Green, conductor.
(q) Royal Albert Hall, London; Constantine Callinicos, pianist.
(r) Cinecittà Studios, Rome. RCA Italiana Orchestra; Franco Ferrara, conductor.
(s) ATV Studios, London. Live TV broadcast ("Saturday Spectacular"). Constantine Callinicos, pianist.
(t) Cinecittà Studios, Rome. Untitled orchestra; Carlo Savina, conductor.
(u) Melotone Studio, New York City. Pianist unknown.
(v) Warner Bros. Studio, Burbank. Jakob Gimpel, pianist.
(w) Lanza's home, Los Angeles. Constantine Callinicos, pianist.