The Mario Lanza Collection (3CD) [BOX SET]

Irving Aaronson (Composer), Beelby (Composer), Georges Bizet (Composer), Blake (Composer), Nicholas Brodszky (Composer), Brown / Freed (Composer), Nacio Herb Brown (Composer), Arturo Buzzi-Peccia (Composer), Callinicos (Composer), Eduardo di Capua (Composer), Guy D'Hardelot (Composer), Riccardo Drigo (Composer), Garinei (Composer), Henry Geehl (Composer), Dizzy Gillespie (Composer), George Hamilton Green (Composer), Guy d' Hardelot (Composer), Donald Kahn (Composer), Martin Kalmanoff (Composer), Kauderer (Composer)

Product Details

• Composer: Irving Aaronson, Beelby, Georges Bizet, Blake, Nicholas Brodszky, et al.
• Audio CD (November 12, 1991)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: RCA Victor
• ASIN: B000003F6V
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,651 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( R ) > Romberg, Sigmund
  #5 in	Music > Classical > Featured Performers, A-Z > ( L ) > Lanza, Mario
  #11 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( L ) > Lehár, Franz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must have" for any true Lanza fan, December 16, 2000

By	G. Sawaged (Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of greatest tenors of the recorded era., August 1, 2002

By	D. R. Schryer (Poquoson, VA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great love songs; pity about the arias!, September 29, 2001

By	D. MCGOVERN "Derek McGovern" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a good introduction to Lanza, albeit an incomplete one. Its pluses are the well-written (and largely accurate) liner notes, and often-excellent sound. If you're looking for Lanza's recordings of love songs, then this is the place to start. Beloved has never sounded better, and the tenor's incomparable recordings of Serenade and Drink! Drink! Drink! from The Student Prince are included. Other highlights include the perfectly recorded and sublimely sung The Song Angels Sing (inexplicably rare on CD); Love is the Sweetest Sing (sung by a tenor who knew all about the subject); If I loved You; One Night of Love; and many other stand-outs.

The downside is that operatic selections are limited to just seven in a 61-track collection. Neapolitan Songs - a huge and important part of the Lanza legacy -are similarly under-represented. I feel that BMG has squandered an opportunity to present a fuller picture of the tenor, especially when one considers the care that has gone into the sound mastering and liner notes. By Disc Three, I found myself a little weary of minor songs such as A Night To Remember, Never Till Now and Come Dance With Me, and longed for "meatier" selections that showed Lanza at the height of his powers. A fourth disc given over to opera and Neapolitan/Italian song would have made all the difference, I feel.

Overall verdict: all in all a good release, but newcomers to Lanza take note - there is more to the guy than just love songs.