New Book About Mario Lanza

[Lover of Grand Voices]

Dear Derek and Friends:

There is a new book on Mario Lanza: A Kid From Philadelphia,Mario
Lanza: The Voice of the Poets
Authored by Emilio Iodice
Translated by James Schwarten

Articles I wrote from 2007 to 2012 that appeared in several place,
have been compiled and edited and published in a new dual language
book in English and Italian.

The goal is to introduce Mario to a new generation. The book serves
this purpose. It is not a biography. No bio of Mario Lanza could
compare to the extensive work of Armando Cesari or that of Derek
Mannering. It is not an historical scholarly work.

It is, as I note in the beginning "an affectionate set of essays about
the greatest tenor and singer of all time. The book belongs to Mario's
fans and those who want to begin learning about him.

I mention the mariolanza tenor site and the British Mario Lanza
Society prominently. Proceeds will go to help students study abroad,
especially belcanto, and the British Mario Lanza Society to help
perpetuate his memory. I am proud that Derek saw the first draft and
his advice.

The book can be found in Amazon under the title:A Kid From
Philadelphia,Mario Lanza: The Voice of the Poets.

I would appreciate any reviews of the book posted to the Amazon site.

Warm regards and best wishes, Emilio

[Derek McGovern]

Congratulations, Emilio! Getting published (and so quickly too) is quite a feat, and I'm sure your collection of essays (all written in your inimitable style) will be warmly appreciated by Lanza fans everywhere. That's very generous of you to devote the proceeds to those who wish to study bel canto singing.

I hadn't realized, by the way, that you were planning a dual Italian-English book either; now that's a first in Lanza books! I'll be very interested in hearing how it's received in Italy.

Here's the Amazon link to your book:

http://www.amazon.com/Kid-From-Philadelphia-Mario-Lanza/dp/1470062917/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333237499&sr=8-1

Best wishes for this enterprise!
Derek

[Lover of Grand Voices]

Dear Derek: Thank you so much for the kind words. This book is for
Mario's many fans and a homage to him and those like you who honor him
each day with your wisdom and knowledge. Your contribution and those
of the members of this site is more than you can imagine.

In the Preface to the book, I say the following about the essays:
"They are personal reflections, not scholarly works. They leap from
the heart. They paint a picture of a performer who gave us joy and
inspiration. It is a tribute to him and those who venture into the
realm of entertainment. May they live long and happy lives. They give
us pleasure and help dismiss thoughts of challenging moments and
difficult days. Mario Lanza was such a person...This collection is for
him. It is for those who follow and preserve his memory and those who
do not know him. From these pages they will discover the person and
the artist. From his recordings and movies they will find the magic
of one who brings emotion, passion, feeling and the thrill of life
like the sound of angel’s wings as they descend from paradise."

In the Acknowledgments I explain my great debt of gratitude: "Writing
about Mario Lanza is simple. Saying thank you to those who honor him
is harder. There are many. I am grateful to the founders and
managers of sites, clubs, and institutes that keep his memory alive,
collect data, prepare compositions, compile discography and anecdotes,
discuss his magic, his strengths and weaknesses and seek to set his
legacy straight and keep his legend and life in perspective.
Two require special recognition. Their data and inspiration helped.
First (and foremost) is Derek McGovern, Armando Cesari and the
managers and members of the mariolanza tenor site. They created an
encyclopedia on the great Lanza and made it available to the world.
Their contribution will span time for new generations to know this
marvelous entertainer. I am proud to be associated with
them...Special recognition must go to Dr. Derek McGovern (in
particular). Dr. McGovern is, today, by far, one of the greatest
experts on Lanza of anyone I know. He has conducted profound research
and is fair and objective and has a brilliant sense of musicality. I
recommend lovers of Lanza to the site he has worked to develop and to
his future writings on this subject and others in the field of music."

The book is a gift for you Derek and all our friends around the world
who love Mario Lanza and all he means and gives to us. May his
memory, voice and image leap across the ages.

Best regards from the Eternal City,

Emilio

On Mar 31, 7:59 pm, Derek McGovern <derek.mcgov...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Congratulations, Emilio! Getting published (and so quickly too) is quite a
> feat, and I'm sure your collection of essays (all written in your
> inimitable style) will be warmly appreciated by Lanza fans everywhere.
> That's very generous of you to devote the proceeds to those who wish to
> study bel canto singing.
>
> I hadn't realized, by the way, that you were planning a dual
> Italian-English book either; now that's a first in Lanza books! I'll be
> very interested in hearing how it's received in Italy.
>
> Here's the Amazon link to your book:
>

> http://www.amazon.com/Kid-From-Philadelphia-Mario-Lanza/dp/1470062917...

[Armando]

Ciao Emilio: I congratulate you on what is no mean achievement-Bravo!

Just for the record, I wonder how many people realise that for every thousand manuscripts submitted only one is accepted for publishing. So, well done, Emilio, I look forward to reading it.

Armando

.

[Lover of Grand Voices]

Grazie Armando. I hope youe enjoy it. Warm best wishes. Emilio

[gary from NS]

Emilio,

Congratulations to you sir,on this homage to Mario.

Very nice that the proceeds will go to those wishing to study bel canto singing.

I look forward to reading this in the near future,and again I thank you for being a person who strives to keep Lanza known as one of the greatest tenors ever.

Cheers

Gary

[Lover of Grand Voices]

Thank you Gary. I hope you and our friends enjoy the book and it
helps open a new generation to him.

Warm best wishes,

Emilio

[Steff]

Press Release regarding Emilio Iodice's new book "A Kid From Philadelphia"

 

   "New book asserts Mario Lanza was greatest tenor, singer of all time"

 

http://www.prnewschannel.com/2012/04/12/new-book-asserts-mario-lanza-was-greatest-tenor-singer-of-all-time/

[jora...@gmail.com]

I recently picked up Mr Iodice’s book, “A Kid From Philadelphia”, and enjoyed it fully. It would be a great gift idea for somebody new to Lanza. In that way, we could generate more charitable proceeds to the musical students that would benefit from its sale. After reading the warm and generous description of Lanza, a “newbie” would automatically think; ‘Wow, I have to hear this man sing! Well done, Mr. Iodice!

I’d like to also draw attention to Emilio’s beautiful acknowledgement to our new “tenure-track Professor of English Literature, Dr. Derek McGovern. I will quote it directly since I think the forum will enjoy and agree completely with the description:

“Special recognition must go to Dr. Derek McGovern of the mariolanzatenor.com site. Dr. McGovern is, today, by far one of the greatest experts on Lanza of anyone I know. He has conducted profound research and is fair and objective and has a brilliant sense of musicality. I recommend lovers of Lanza to the site he has worked to develop and to his future writings on this subject and others in the field of music.”

P.S. I am currently involved in a change of geography and may be off-line for a while. But, I will be back sometime in June………………..Joe Fagan