Mario Lanza- Drigo’s Serenade (Coca-Cola show recording)

Mario Lanza (1921-1959) “Serenade“(Drigo). Recorded June 24, 1951, for The Mario Lanza Show, with studio orchestra conducted by Ray Sinatra. There are two extant Lanza recordings of Riccardo Drigo’s “Serenade“- the RCA release and this radio show performance. I find the latter to be the more convincing of the two: Lanza is in better voice, the tempo is more relaxed (not as rushed), and the singing has more lilt. It’s nice to have the luxury of making comparisons! Incidentally, the second photo in the slideshow is of the Bel Canto Trio- Lanza, the great bass-baritone George London, and soprano Frances Yeend.