Mario Lanza recorded this beautiful Neapolitan song at his first commercial session for RCA on May 5, 1949. Written by composer Emanuele Nutile (1862-1932) in 1900, with lyrics by his fellow Neapolitan Ferdinando Russo, the song was a staple of Lanza's recital repertoire, and also featured in two of the tenor's films. (In fact, it was the first number that Lanza sang in his debut picture, That Midnight Kiss.) This is one of seven existing renditions of the song by Lanza, and was conducted by Constantine Callinicos. Click here for the sheet music.

Note: The audio reproduction featured above comes from a 1960 LP pressing and is (understandably) slightly scratchy, but the sound quality here---in terms of capturing Lanza's warmth of timbre, power and dynamic range---is superior to that of any CD reissue.

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Another staple of Mario Lanza's recital repertoire, this 1907 Neapolitan song by composer Paolo Tosti (1846-1916) and poet Gabriele D'Annunzio (1863-1938) was recorded on February 23, 1951 at the same session that produced the tenor's second million-selling single, "The Loveliest Night of the Year." The conductor was Constantine Callinicos. This version is currently available on the 2009 Sony CD Serenade: A Mario Lanza Songbook.

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This passionate 1915 Neapolitan song by composer Ernesto de Curtis (1875-1937) and lyricist Libero Bovio (1883-1942) was recorded twice by Mario Lanza: first, in 1952, for his weekly radio show, and again in December 1958 (in Rome) for the Neapolitan album Mario! (best heard on this 2006 CD release). The recording featured here is Lanza's 1958 version, and was conducted by Franco Ferrara of Rome's Academy of Santa Cecilia. Carlo Savina arranged the song.

Note: Lanza recorded more De Curtis songs than those of any other Neapolitan composer. Several of these are closely associated with the tenor, and include "Voce 'e Notte," "Canta Pe' Me!," "Torna a Surriento," and "Senza Nisciuno."

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