The American lirico spinto tenor Mario Lanza possessed, in the words of conductor Arturo Toscanini, "the greatest natural tenor voice of the twentieth century." In spite of such praise, Lanza also became, in short order, that century's most controversial tenor. Much of the criticism centred on the tenor's choice of a film career over an operatic one, although Lanza always intended to return to the opera stage. In a brief career that included over 150 concerts and acclaimed appearances in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Madama Butterfly, Lanza was also one of the most successful film and recording stars of the 1950s. His seven films included the operatic-flavoured The Great Caruso (1951) and Serenade (1956). A larger-than-life extrovert whose singing abounded with personality, Lanza paid a high price for his Hollywood fame, falling victim to an erratic lifestyle that culminated in his death at the age of 38. In spite of his early demise, the tenor continues to influence successive generations of operatic stars. "If I'm an opera singer," José Carreras has said, "it's thanks to Mario Lanza."

- Derek McGovern

Biography and articles:
Biography: Mario Lanza: A Radical Reassessment. Written by Derek McGovern.