Spuds has posted here before? I don't remember that but I sometimes miss posts, especially if I've been on a trip. And you think it is David Bret? Could be I suppose but I give him more credit than that. He would not leave the safety of his bunker and act like a measly troll - he would have no reason to. David is not an emotional fighter, he is a tactical fighter and he knows that doing this sort of low-life act would now be playing directly into our hands. I think he is smarter than that.

MARTINO excellent post and exactly what i feel and think.this troll spudgun has posted before and of course with a similar attitude.i suspect your correct its possibly someone who lives in england but may not neccessarily be british by birth.i also suspect his knowledge of singing is limited .singers of all types opera mostly pop-tenors pop crooners and rock n roll artists have been talked about in posts in the past..lanza and rightly soo has been the main topic and over the years has by far dominated our posts.vince has a voice and singing style worthy of praise by anyone who knows excellent singing.spudgun does not.frank teneglia is a concert tenor and a darn good one.both are huge lanza fans and inspired by lanza.they have talent galor..spudgun mr fountain of knowledge can you please give me the streths of caruso blorling gigli corelli pav bjorling martinelli distefano and lanza.what they doo exceptionaly well.can you give me there weak points.can you give me what they give the listner.do they have any faults and quallities that stand out and why there considered great.6 years ago i gave long posts detailing all that in every singer..martino said spot on in praise .ditto mark lane matt minzer carusiello and others.MARTINO does not just say a singer is superb he in detail explains why with passages of arias sung the singers genuis in interpetation etc etc..from you all we get is hot air posts that have a lot of words but say nothing..post on gran tenori if you want to talk just certain type of singers.i did for 2 years in there old forum.MARTINO is correct.

Martino, I believe that Spudgun has posted before and it was pretty well conceded that he was an alias for David Bret, the banned poster. Your other comments are valid and I agree.

Well Spuds, you do make some good points. I agree Mario Lanza possessed a voice of power, passion and beauty. In that regard, speaking of his vocal attributes, I also agree with you that he certainly can be mentioned in the same breath with all the great opera tenors, not in occupation perhaps but in voice.

But you seem to forget that in addition to his quality of voice in operatic terms, Mario was indeed and predominantly a "pop" singer. Accordingly, the discussion of non opera house singers, such as Tenaglia, DiPlacido and others is appropriate and in keeping with the guidelines of this forum, at least as I understand them. In addition to that, both Vince and Frank post here from time to time and are contributors to this forum. Both are tenors. Both sing many of the same songs as did Mario. If you want to critique their voices you are more than welcome as reviews and singer appraisals are very much a part of this forum. But if you call someone a "diminutive nightclub singer" (and I'm not sure I know who you are referring to specifically), you better be prepared to back it up with reasons and examples. As it stands, you have produced a bunch of empty and meaningless words - and not very nice ones at that. Very strange for someone who starts off saying they "love this forum".

That Vince and Frank contribute to this forum is more than I can say for you. I've never noticed your name here before. If you are so concerned about steering our ship to the proper course, why not take a positive approach instead and do something about it rather than just bitch and moan. Why don't you start a discussion about some aspect of Mario's life? Why don't you introduce a topic involving Lanza's songs or movies? Do you wish to be considered a critical force or just a forceful critic?

It is clear you are English by your reference to "major" and "minor" division "football" teams. If you were American, the reference would be much different. I am pretty sure I know all the Brits that have posted here and none I know would issue such an admonishment (and I am keeping in mind that Perigo does not live in England). This being the case, I can only conclude that you are nothing more than a troll.

As much as I love this forum, I am rather perturbed that much of its content would appear to be veering AWAY from its predominant topic, which is supposed to be Mario Lanza, and beginning to concentrate on becoming a advertising "showcase" for any number of diminutive nightclub singers masquerading as Tenors.

Lanza posessed a voice of supreme quality, class and resonance. Its enthralling beauty lay in its inert power and in its raw passion and emotive legato, even, (if not especially so, when sung sotto voce. No doubt, the argument about whether Lanza posessed an instrument equal to the great Opera stars of his, (and OTHER), eras, will go on forever.

It is my contention, as I am sure it is that of others, that Lanza DID, indeed, have a voice greater, in many instances, than the Opera luminaries who graced the boards of the Opera houses of Mario Lanza's dreams and aspirations. His is a voice worthy of merit when considering De Stefano, Corelli, Tagliavinni, Del Monaco, Domingo, Bjorling and Pavarotti.

To then proliferate this board with comments, adverts and effusions for talent show contestants rather detracts from the principle objective of promoting Lanza as a WORLD class Tenor. As gifted as Messrs. Di Placido and Tenaglia are, their place is surely on the pages of Forums dedicated to club circuit cabaret artists.(Although I happy to concede that Tenaglia is infinitely more gifted).

It becomes rather like discussing tactics for Rotherham United football club on a Manchester United Forum.

Thanks Derek - I obtained the RAH tape when I first joined the BMLS twenty-five years ago, through a then committee member who no longer has anything to do with the Society. I didn't realise it was not supposed to be for general release.

A brief video of the recent Mario Lanza Ball can be viewed at www.southphillyreview.com. Click on the video link at the top of the home page and then on 50th anniversary of Mario Lanza. Best, Bill

Edited by author 11-05-2009 11:22 PM
Vincent...Holy Cow! I finally went to Youtube to check out your songs and was astonished. I thought some of the others were just being polite to a fellow poster. Just beautiful. You have a terrific voice.

THE ADVENTURES OF DAVON BREST, CELEBRITY BIOGRAPHER

Time: Late afternoon. Place: The Brest House in a fashionable section of London.

On the living room floor, Davon Brest is surrounded by a dozen books about the late American actor Paul Newman, or rather what’s left of the books after Brest has finished cutting them to pieces and pasting them into his own manuscript.

“Done!” he exclaims to Janie, his wife of 37 years. She smiles and gives him a hug and kiss. “Congratulations, dear! Call Jerry Robinson right away - remember, you promised him you’d write it in four days, and here’s it taken you nearly four-and-a-half!“

“Well, if I hadn’t had to keep checking on those Lanza loonies and writing about them on my blog, I‘d have been done yesterday! It doesn‘t matter anyway - sales of “A Slime Symphony” are going through the roof!”

Davon and Janie’s son Marlon, age 36, walks in and sees his the remains of Newman books on the floor. “Another cut-and-paste bio, Dad?“ he asks. Davon replies indignantly, “Marlon, you know better than to ask me that! Of COURSE it’s cut-and-paste! How ELSE could I produce six books a year!”

Janie chimes in, “Marlon, dear, do you think we’d be living as lavishly as this if your father had to do actual research for years and years, and then write something original?“ Marlon replies, “Yes, Mom, but my friends are starting to tease me. They say Dad’s not a real biographer.” Davon snorts, “Of course I’m not a REAL biographer - I’m a CELEBRITY biographer!”

Marlon replies, “Well, I hope this time you’re not going to add something in about a threesome with Gracie Fields and Edith Piaf.” Janie says, “No - this time Dad’s having it be Marlene Dietrich and Maria Callas in a tryst with Newman. They end up dousing each other with a jar of Newman’s Own Industrial Strength Spaghetti Sauce.”

“Yes,” says Davon, “in fact, I’m calling the book ‘Paul Newman - In His Own Sauce.” He and Janie laugh uproariously.

Marlon shrugs and says, “That does it - I’m going out.”

Janie blows him a kiss. “Okay, darling, drive carefully! Davon, dinner will be ready in a half-hour.”

As she walks off into the kitchen, Davon hauls out a dozen books written about Culture Club and drops them on the floor. “Good,” he replies, “as soon as we finish eating, I’m going to start on that new bio of Boy George! I promised Jerry Robinson I'd have it to him by 5 tomorrow.”

Bill R: Will do. Ciao.

The only items on the unedited Albert Hall concert, not included on the BMG CD, are Costa's 5 piano solos. Also a remark Lanza made: when Lanza briefly introduces Victor Hawkhauser, as Hawkhauser leaves, Lanza says: "He isn't shy, he's just rushing to count the money!" There was no need to include that remark on the CD. Costa's 5 piano solos are: Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu, Chopin's famous Heroic Polanaise, Debussy's Clair De Lune, De Falla's Ritual Fire Dance, and a piece Callinicos wrote entitled "Greek Dances", to which he gives a brief spoken introduction. Ciao.

I saw Turandot at the Met on Tuesday evening in the great Zefferelli production. Guleghina was still a little under the weather especailly on top but Giordani was in great voice as was the Liu. Sam Ramey was Timur and still had some of the old magic. Best, Bill

Fred: Email me at wjronayne@optonline.net and I'll forward your message to Caranza.

Regarding the RAH concert, the Mario Lanza Museum has an audio cassette tape of the full concert including Costa's selections for about $10 plus shipping. Contact the museum at mariolanzamuseum@aol.com.

Best, Bill

Lanza never sang "It's Very Soft For Simon"!! It was not Lanza's type of song!! Mr. Bret was obviously joking!! Ciao.

Derek, thanks for the news about “Fringe”. I’ll watch it tonight.
I have not heard the complete Albert Hall concert just the version put out by RCA. Does Mario sing “It’s very soft for Simon” on it as David Bret claims in his book?

Martino, "Fringe" is on Fox tonight, Thursday, at 9 pm EST so you didn't miss it!

And Wendy, the RAH recital CD Sam is talking about is a bootleg. Clyde Smith was the original source of the complete concert and he made it available to a select number of Lanza fans only. I doubt very much that Clyde is credited on the bootleg release and while I am sure the audio quality is as good as Sam claims it to be, it is not something I would support.