Should read (early) Sorry for that. What pains Caruso went through in the days before medical science improved. Again at only a young age a great voice was stilled. As per Mario. What is it that nature teases us with greatness for it to snatch it away from us. Lanza Wunderlich, Caruso. Now they are the three tenors. Pavarotti of course at the age of 71 did have a decent lifespan. Even with his colossal weight he did reach the three score years and ten. Carerras had a bad scare. Are tenors a unhealthy lot i ask myself. Have they time to look after their health with all the concerts and associated stress. Placido is nearing 70 so he has bucked the trend.

http://www.sorrentoradio.com/prova/enrico_caruso.htm. Found this snippet from the eraly days of Caruso.

Eugene, thank you so much for the clip of Robert Merrill singing Largo Al Factotum. This was the aria that launched me on my passion for opera. I heard it as a teenager, and was a complete neophyte about opera, but for months I visited record stores with my hard-earned pennies and tried to find this glorious music on a 78 rpm disk. As you might guess, I bought a lot of arias from the Marriage of Figaro, until I discovered that Figaro was a character in the Barber of Seville!

You also reminded me that for many years, Robert Merrill was my favorite baritone (he’s not any more), but his version of LAF, especially on film, is hard to surpass. What a great performance!

I checked all the US book sites: amazon, addall, abebooks, and found no del monaco biographys.

Rob, I checked out all about Lindi. Sadly I never heard of this interesting singer before - a real lack, I guess. And yes, his life appeals to a fan of both singing and boxing, as I am. Thanks for posting this information.

The recent biography

In June 2002, a monumental book about the life and career of Mario Del Monaco, written by Elisabetta Romagnolo was published: a true masterpiece!!!Editor: Azzali, Parma.

You might ask the publisher whether it is translated in English, in the meantime. This is the address:

AZZALI EDITORE Via M.D'Azeglio 76/a 43100 Parma Italy
tel.0521 232929
e-mail:

azzalied@azzalieditori.191.it

Mark, this is the biography of 2002, in Italian

The only biographies I can locate of del Monaco are written in French. Sorry.

The Russian tenor definitely has something going for him. I like the voice, the 'stage presence'. Couldn't find much background material on him or a web site.

Does anyone know of a biography on the life of Mario Del Monaco that is written in English?

Hello..my apologies..I had no idea that Eugene had posted the same link earlier today..a little embarassing to say the least..but c'est la vie..as they say "stuff" happens..

cheers
Gary (I thought Eugene's link was to a youtube voice clip) which I cannot open here.

Thanks for the info. on "Arolodo Lindi" and the link. I look forward to getting home tomorrow to see and here this tenor on youtube.

http://www.jussibjorlingsociety.org/bestnessundorma.htm

Hello..I have cut and copied the Neckers article that Jim has mentioned.
I am working and have little time to read at present,but this may be of interest to some folks here.

Jim Thompson..what a pleasure to see you post here, you do much spreading the word on Mario Lanza; and I say as Gabi, amen and bravo to your comment.

Cheers
Gary

Bravo and amen to your comment, Jim Thompson!

This is my email response to Jan Neckers after reading his "Nessun Dorma" dissertation:

I was incredulous to read Jan Neckers "Nessun Dorma" article where he says Mario Lanza's diction in Italian was "bad". He also comes down on his interpretation. That is so old hat, pardon my saying. Mario Lanza's diction and pronunciation in the languages in which he sang were acknowledged by people who sang with him and who knew his art. Licia Albanese spoke to me of his diction and his "feeling". Time and again singers such as Placido Domingo, Richard Leech, Fabio Armiliato and so many others have spoken of his diction and musicianship.

Anders Bjorling, along with author Andrew Farkas, spoke with me when they were guests on my radio show, "Mario Lanza and Friends", about Mr. Lanza's artistry. Jan Neckers should listen to Mario's "Nessun Dorma" from the 1948 Hollywood Bowl concert and outtakes of the recording he made for the movie "Serenade". He can get the CD of the Bowl concert from Jeff Rense who remastered four Lanza CD's at www.Rense.com.

Truly, fifty years after Mario Lanza's death, it is outdated to say that Lanza only sang "loud". It is as wrong and outdated to say that Jussi Bjorling sang beautifully but without "Emotion". Jussi Bjorling sang with his heart and soul and conveyed true emotion. Mario Lanza also sang in that manner and he did have a "soft pedal" in his throat.

God has his ways, so as humans we are sometimes left with the what-might-have-beens...another forty or fifty years of life for Jussi and Mario. That would have put both artists in their eighties and their legacies would have been that much greater. But thank God for what we have on records of two of the greatest singers of the 20th century bar none!

I play the CD's of Jussi Bjorling regularly on my internet program and I recently devoted an hour and a half show featuring only Jussi and Mario. The program is at: www.mariolanzaandfriends.com

I congratulate you on a fine website dedicated to an outstanding man.

Yes, Martino. From time to time there have been discussions here about the lives of various tenors, including of course Lanza's life, having the potential to provide the basis for film scripts. In Lindi's crowded and extraordinary life there seems to be more than enough material for a series of films. His early work as a singing boxer should please fans of both singing and boxing.
Strange that he is so little mentioned these days after his many successes. Possibly Lindi had a voice that made a strong and favourable initial impression, but failed to make a lasting appeal to singing fans.