This Land was written by Hal Stanley & Irving Taylor. It is from the NBC-TV Producers Showcase production of "The Lord Don't Play Favorites" (1956). Dick Haymes was one of the stars in that TV production. I've never seen it, so I don't know if Haymes sang that song in that show. Lanza is not known to have ever written any song!! I doubt that he ever did !! Ciao.

Fred: You might try Caranza's e-mail which is: pbhale@att.net

I'm sure he would be more than happy to sell you some of his CD's. He has
seventeen (17); Elvis, Neil Diamond, Tony Bennett and many more.

He was very entertaining.

I just received my copy of David Bret's new book and two things jumped off the pages when I looked through it. According to Bret, Mario sang "It’s pretty soft for Simon" from "Naughty Marietta" at his Albert Hall concert? Is this a joke? Bret does say it was left off the RCA album but I can't imagine Mario singing something like this. Bret also states that "This Land" was Mario's own composition. Sam, anyone, any thoughts?

I noticed something the other night I had never caught before. In "For the First Time" while Mario is walking around singing "Come Prima", there is one quick shot showing his shoes. They are high heeled to give him more height!

Fred- Did you ever hear Dennis Day's vocal of "Stars and Stripes Forever"? Quite entertaining!

We have discussed Terranova before and I think we were all impressed then. He is of the old school in a way (although I believe he is also into "pop" as well). Terranova is of the school that says if you have a voice flaunt it, and he certainly does. He is not shy to do encores either like in the old days, as he demonstrates in your clip and also in a performance of "Rigoletto" from Verona that can also be seen on youtube. A little different than Franco Bonisolli in voice but not too far from him in pazzaz - I like that!

Thought members of the forum might like to hear the latest rendition of 'Qual destino' from 'La Figlia del Reggimento' (in Italian) by GianLuca Terranova from the Teatro Sociale in Como, Italy performed on 29/31st October 2009.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_quer...o&search_type=&aq=f

I did a little youtube searching and found videos which I think are the scholarship winners at this year's Lanza Ball. If you would like to hear them, try the links below.

Baritone Christopher Magiera: http://www.youtube.com/user/magicj530#p/a

Bass-baritone Donovan Singletary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7SDT7qroB8

Soprano Maria Alieda (I just realized I did NOT include her name in my review. I apologize to Maria). Here she is doing the same aria she did at the Ball: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvymSnSLABw

I could not find the other two singers.

Rob: Speaking of Sousa, one of the most thrilling and unusual recordings of The Stars And Stripes Forever, is by pianist Carmen Cavallaro. Stunning is the word!! The flip side was the "Two Minute Waltz" by Chopin. Equally stunning!! Ciao.

October 29th was the 6th anniversary of the death of Franco Corelli. And the next day was the 6th anniversary of the death of Franco Bonisolli. And the years fly by!! Seems like only yesterday!! Ciao.

Martino: I received from you the Turandot, with Giordani, yesterday. Many thanks. I will play it shortly. Thanks again. Ciao.

Bill R: Many thanks. Yes, please do suggest to Caranza that he should have a website, and some of his singing on youtube. Hopefully, he will do both, soon. How does one find his CD's?? Where does one get them?? Please comment. Thanks. Ciao.

Thelma: Elissa attended last year and I'm told everyone loved her. She was, in a way, filling in for Damon. She decided not to attend this year and her reasons are not completely known to me so I will not comment.

Bill: Thanks for the corrections and additions. How could I haved forgotten the duet between Giuseppe and Elaine? It was my first time to hear Elaine sing a full piece and was she ever up to the challenge! I do remember now your announcing the VP of the Coccia Foundation. I was also aware of the other room for the coctail hour, but didn't mention it because I thought it was too far away from where "the action was" and only a handfull of people used it. It is also possible many were not aware it was open to them. In any event, maybe we got to know more people and know them better since we were practically touching each other at times, lol!
Incidentally, with all your responsibilities and running around doing so many things, I hope you had the chance to take some photos and/or video. Folks, believe me when I tell you that this was an outstanding achievement for Bill!!

Friday, 6th November will be the 155th anniversary of the birth of a giant in the world of music.:John Philip Sousa, composer of so many great marches that he thoroughly earned the title of The March King. It seems very fitting that this composer whose music did so much to honour his country and its institutions was born in his nation's Capital.

A recording of the composer introducing and then conducting his own "Stars and Stripes Forever" is on the linked video which may have been sourced from a recording broadcast on or about the composer's 75th birthday (6th November, 1929), and perhaps this is the same version made available on disk a few years later (1931, as mentioned in the video title)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Philip_Sousa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpr5lYMz7LE

Clifton Webb portrayed Sousa in an entertaining film, named after this march. Unfortunately, the film is not yet available as an official 20th Century Studio DVD release.

Thanks to you both for telling us about the Ball and the weekend. I would have liked to be there. Was Elissa there?

Edited by author 11-02-2009 11:20 PM
The Mario Lanza Institute would like to thank all that attended the Mario Lanza Ball Weekend as well as those that sent in donations in honor of Mario's 50th anniversary and in support of the institute's mission of keeping Mario's dream alive.

Sunday November 1, 2009 was Mario Lanza Day in the city of Philadelphia and also the entire state of Pennsylvania! Mr. Taormina sang one of the most beautiful Ave Maria's I've ever heard at St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi church and received a one minute ovation. In additon to his solos at the Ball, he joined Elaine Malbin for Libiamo which garnered them a standing ovation. The Mario Lanza Award was reinstated this year and presented to Mr. Taormina, Ms. Malbin, and Peter Nero. Past recipients have included Sergio Franchi and Jerry Hadley. I believe Al Martino was also a recipient.

Sam: Thanks for your kind words. Just so you know, there was another area available to the attendees with more tables during the cocktail hour just around the corner from the food and bar area. By the way, the lady with Maestro Raucci was his friend and the VP of the Coccia Foundation.

While it was a great weekend, we all missed our dear lady and president Mary Papola. Anyone wishing to send Mary a get well card can write to mariolanzamuseum@aol.com. Best, Bill