Mario Lanza

Mario Lanza (1921-1959) was a Philadelphia-born tenor of Italian descent who became one of the most popular classical voices in mid-20th century America. He recorded extensively for RCA Victor and starred in several Hollywood films, most notably The Great Caruso (1951), which was the top-grossing film in the world that year. His powerful, natural voice drew comparisons to Enrico Caruso and earned admiration from conductors and fellow singers alike.