Be My Love – The Mario Lanza Story at The Source Thurles

ca. 1955 — Singer Mario Lanza. — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

The great conductor, Arturo Toscanini described him as “the greatest tenor of the twentieth century”. In just five years, Mario Lanza went from being a 16-year-old Philadelphian truck driver to being the most “in demand” singer in the world. He had a magnificent operatic voice but he appeared on the opera stage only twice. Instead, he was seduced by Hollywood and made eight record-breaking films. Movies like “That MidnightKiss”, “The Great Caruso”, “The Toast of New Orleans” and “The Student Prince” brought his fame and his voice all around the world.

Jose Carreras admitted that Lanza had been his inspiration and Placido Domingo said, “I owe my career in opera to a kid from Philadelphia!”. But the strain of putting on weight to sing and then dieting to shoot the films took its inevitable toll on his health and Mario Lanza died in Italy at the tragically early age of 38. Apart from his films he left behind a wonderful catalogue of recordings and 12 Gold Discs, including; “Be my love”, “The Loveliest Night of the Year”, “Drink! Drink! Drink!”, “Because You’re Mine”, and “I’ll walk with God”.

Following his nation-wide success with “I’LL WALK BESIDE YOU” – The Story of Count John McCormack and “BLAZE AWAY” – The Incredible Life of Josef Locke, famed Irish tenor Frank Ryan is joined by soprano Sarah O’Mahony and pianist Thomas Doyle to relive the enchanting but poignant story of the life of Mario Lanza.

Narration is by RTE’s Kevin Hough [“The Lyrics Board”] and the show is written and directed by Cathal MacCabe.

Be My Love – The Mario Lanza Story

Saturday 11 February @ 8pm

The Source Arts Centre Thurles