Mario Lanza- a superb Lamento di Federico

Mario Lanza (1921-1959) sings the ’Lamento di Federico’ from Cilea’s “L’Arlesiana“, in the 1956 Warner Bros. film “Serenade“. The studio orchestra is conducted by Ray Heindorf. This is arguably Lanza’s best singing film, and the clip shows why- the voice is a bit darker and even more virile than it had been in previous years, loaded with squillo, and his stage presence is magnetic. Too many lyric tenors have crooned their way through this aria. The spinto weight of Lanza’s voice and his raw emotion, on the other hand (not to mention the sheer gorgeous sound), give full measure to the character’s utter despondence. Lanza’s final ’Mi fai tanto male! Ahime!’ sends shivers straight down my spine!