Projects: Humanities Live: Mario Lanza, The Meteor

Broadcast: August 20 & 27, 12 p.m.




Professor Moylan Mills (top) and opera singer Richard Troxell (middle) discuss the influence of Mario Lanza.

Brash young opera star Mario Lanza vowed to become the greatest tenor in the world. Professor Moylan Mills and tenor Richard Troxell look into his meteoric rise from South Philadelphia to Hollywood stardom and his influence on stage, screen and the opera world.

Moylan Mills is Professor Emeritus of Integrative Arts at Penn State's Abington Campus, where he teaches courses on film, theatre, opera and popular culture. He writes extensively on these subjects as well. Mills has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania.

Richard Troxell has been heard on operatic and concert stages in the U.S. and around the world. He has performed a wide variety of leading roles including the role of Lieutenant Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly. Troxell studied at Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts.

Accompanist Richard Raub has worked for the past 22 years at the Academy of Vocal Arts. He currently is a master vocal coach and assists the musical director. Raub is a graduate of West Chester University.

View a clip from Mario Lanza, The Meteor.
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Additional Resources

Mario Lanza, The Meteor is supported in part by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.