Category Archives: Biographies
A Blast From Classical Past
Mario Lanza
You may have noticed on the home page of the Web TV section we have “Classical Music” as out theme. No ICU Online is not under new management, we have however been inspired by new business partners who bring to the table a taste for the finer things in life.
This article is a tribute to the tenor, Mario Lanza, who set the world ablaze in his day with his amazing voice. The following is an excerpt from the wikipedia website.
(Mario Lanza born January 31, 1921 – and died October 7, 1959)
He was an American tenor and Hollywood movie star of the late 1940s and the 1950s. The son of Italian emigrants, he began studying to be a professional singer at the age of 16. He was born Alfred Arnold Cocozza. He changed his name when he signed with MGM. His mother’s maiden name was Maria Lanza.
After appearing at the Hollywood Bowl in 1947, Lanza signed a seven-year contract with MGM’s head, Louis B. Mayer, who saw his performance and was impressed by his singing. Prior to this, the adult Lanza had sung only two performances of an opera. The following year (1948), however, he would sing the role of Pinkerton in Puccini‘s Madama Butterfly in New Orleans.
His movie debut was in That Midnight Kiss (1949) with Kathryn Grayson and Ethel Barrymore. The following year, in The Toast of New Orleans, his featured popular song “Be My Love” became his first million-selling hit. In 1951, he played the role of Enrico Caruso (1873–1921), his tenor idol, in the biopic, The Great Caruso, which produced another million-seller with “The Loveliest Night of the Year” (a song which used the melody of Sobre las Olas). The Great Caruso was the top-grossing film that year.
The title song of his next film, Because You’re Mine, featured his final million-selling hit song. The song went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. After recording the soundtrack for his next film, The Student Prince he embarked upon a protracted battle with Studio Head Dore Schary arising from artistic differences with director Curtis Bernhardt, and was eventually dismissed by MGM.
Lanza was known to be “rebellious, tough, and ambitious”, and during most of his film career, he suffered from addictions to overeating and alcohol which had a serious effect on his health and his relationships with directors, producers and, occasionally, other cast members. Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper writes that “his smile, which was as big as his voice, was matched with the habits of a tiger cub, impossible to housebreak”. She adds that he was the “last of the great romantic performers”. He made three more films before dying of a pulmonary embolism at the age of 38. At the time of his death in 1959 he was still “the most famous tenor in the world”. Author Eleonora Kimmel concludes that Lanza “blazed like a meteor whose light lasts a brief moment in time”
Dear Me…
I recently read ‘Dear Me, A Letter To My Sixteen Year Old Self’ it’s a compilation of letters stars such as Elton John, Alan Carr and Jonathan Ross hypothetically would write in hindsight to their sixteen year old self. Don’t click away this isn’t a book review…
Not only was the book heartfelt and hilarious but it has inspired me to write this. Being only twenty three I don’t have as many years to look upon as some of the stars in the collection but here goes…
25/08/2011
London
Dear Sophie Dophie Didly Dophie Over the Irish Sea
(Don’t worry it’s a nickname that doesn’t stick, nor does Sophia, despite your perseverance! Today you usually respond to Soph).
I know you’ve just met him, you’re both so young but he will break your heart as you will do with his. You’re not one to shy away from love (as if you would do anything less) you wear your heart on your sleeve and trust far too easily, learn from this! Nevertheless he is ‘The One’ and he is made for you, you both have many more ups and downs to come yet, it was meant to be – go with it!
I know you’re extremely headstrong right now don’t give up, follow your passion; write more, you’ll grow to love it more than you think and who knows what doors it will open for you?
You were me not so long ago so listen to me now, the next few points are very important (yes I know I moan; this doesn’t change!):
- Don’t ever stay up all night, you will forever work Saturdays therefore the suffering is endless.
- Don’t get drunk New Years Eve 2009; a broken heart and alcohol are the worst mix and trust me you will end up in a strangers car, head down the loo in front of your family and pictures all over Facebook that will never leave you.
- Don’t drink Vodka! Although it contains the least calories it is the most painful.
- When invited in to watch a film, DON’T DO IT! You’ll know when you get there. Trust your instinct.
- Don’t listen to your good friend when he starts lighting the Sambucas, yes they look amazing but you WILL suffer.
- Do look at your family and reconsider your feelings towards some of them; your dad, one day will show you how special you are to him, so treasure him, after all you only get one.
- Finally, listen to your friends more; their advice is invaluable.
Lots of love, Soph x
P.S Don’t buy the Polo, it will cost you double what you paid to fix and you don’t even get a great deal on it! This is the only time you are not to listen to the advice of your family.
So there you have it; I really wish i knew then what i know now.
Go for it guys write a letter to your sixteen year old self and see what you come up with.
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