In the field of opera singers, few built a reputation and following to match
Mario Lanza, heartthrob matinee idol and one of the biggest stars of the 1940s
and 1950s, who was worshipped by his fans with numerous movies to his name. Born
as Alfredo Arnold Cocozza in the USA to Italian parents, his exceptional vocal
talent first became apparent in his teens when he appeared in local operatic
productions in Philadelphia. Studying under conductors Boris Goldovsky and
Leonard Bernstein, he adopted the stage name Mario Lanza in homage to his
mother's maiden name (Maria Lanza) and won w...