Mario Lanza’s performance of “And This Is My Beloved” is a tender expression of love for his wife, Betty Lanza. This iconic song, known for its emotional depth, showcases Mario’s powerful voice, conveying both admiration and devotion. His rendition is an unforgettable tribute, adding a personal layer to the classic love song.

Mario Lanza’s performance of “And This Is My Beloved” is a tender expression of love for his wife, Betty Lanza. This iconic song, known for its emotional depth, showcases Mario’s powerful voice, conveying both admiration and devotion. His rendition is an unforgettable tribute, adding a personal layer to the classic love song.

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Mario Lanza’s “And This Is My Beloved”: A Dedication to Betty Lanza

In 1953, the musical Kismet introduced audiences to a stunning romantic ballad titled “And This Is My Beloved.” Written by Robert Wright and George Forrest, with melodies based on the compositions of Alexander Borodin, this song quickly became a classic. However, for opera and Hollywood legend Mario Lanza, the song held a much deeper personal connection.

Elizabeth Jeannette “Betty” Hicks Lanza (1922-1960) - Find a Grave Memorial

The Song’s Musical Roots and Lanza’s Heartfelt Dedication

“And This Is My Beloved” is credited to Robert Wright and George Forrest, but its haunting melody was derived from Borodin’s String Quartet in D. The song, with its rich orchestration and romantic lyrics, was a perfect fit for Lanza’s powerful tenor voice, and he delivered it with all the passion and warmth that characterized his performances.

But beyond its place in the musical Kismet“And This Is My Beloved” had a more intimate meaning for Lanza. It became a dedication to his wife, Betty Lanza (née Elisabeth Jeannette Lyhan-Hicks), whose sudden death in 1960, just months after Mario’s passing, marked an incredibly tragic chapter in his life.

The Love Story Between Mario and Betty

Betty Lanza was born on October 28, 1922, the sister of Mario’s Army buddy, Bert Hicks. Mario and Betty’s love story was one of those rare, fateful romances. They met and immediately fell in love, and shortly after Mario’s discharge from the Army in January 1945, they were married. The couple went on to have four children, building a family full of love and devotion.

However, their happiness would be short-lived. In October 1959, Mario Lanza tragically passed away at the age of 38, leaving Betty to mourn the loss of her beloved husband. Only five months later, in March 1960, Betty died, unable to live without Mario by her side. The couple’s four children were left orphaned, with the love of their lives taken away in the blink of an eye.

A Legacy of Love and Loss

The love between Mario and Betty was a central force in Mario’s life, and it is said that this bond deeply influenced his performances, particularly in songs like “And This Is My Beloved.” The emotional depth and heartfelt passion that Lanza brought to his singing mirrored the love he felt for Betty, and this song, in many ways, became a tribute to her.

Mario’s untimely death, and Betty’s subsequent passing, left an indelible mark on their family, with their children bearing the weight of both parents’ absences. Yet the love and dedication between Mario and Betty remain etched in the hearts of all who knew them, and in the music that Mario Lanza so beautifully brought to life.

The Song Lives On

“And This Is My Beloved” continues to stand as a testament to Mario Lanza’s remarkable talent and his deep, enduring love for his wife. Through this song, his fans can feel the emotion and dedication he poured into his music, and the love story that fueled it.

The tragic tale of Betty Lanza’s untimely passing, so closely following that of Mario, remains a poignant reminder of how love can transcend even death. Their story is forever immortalized in Mario’s heartfelt renditions, reminding us that some loves are so deep, they live on through time and song.

What are your thoughts on Mario Lanza’s performance of “And This Is My Beloved” and his love story with Betty? Share your reflections below. 🎶

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