Stars Of Opera Salute Mario Lanza 10-12-5     News Release Mario Lanza Institute & Museum Phone (215) 238-9691 Fax (215) 468-1903 mariolanzamuseum@aol.com   William Ronayne, Publicity Director wjronayne@juno.com   PHILADELPHIA, PA -- On Sunday November 13th, Licia Albanese, Elaine Malbin, Elinor Ross, Frank Tenaglia, and Damon Lanza will be among the special invited guests scheduled to join family and fans of Mario Lanza as they gather at the DoubleTree Hotel on Broad Street to pay tribute to the legendary tenor. The event which is actually an entire weekend of festivities, is a fundraiser conducted by the Mario Lanza Institute to help perpetuate Lanza's dream of aiding young aspiring opera singers through scholarships. To date the Institute has awarded over 200 scholarships and some of the recent winners have included Joyce DiDonato, Juan Diego Florez, and James Valenti.   On Saturday November 12th beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel there will be a special Pre-Ball dinner featuring a fine buffet and also some great entertainment including Dominic Mantuano, Aaron Caruso, and the Philadelphia Mummers. A Memorial Mass will be said at St Mary Magdalen de Pazzi church on Sunday November 13th at 10:00 a.m. Immediately following the Mass will be a reception at the Mario Lanza Museum, which is located at 712 Montrose Street. The evening will start with a cocktail hour at 5:00 p.m. and then the Ball will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the finals of the Mario Lanza Scholarship Competition. Dinner and dancing to the music of Carmen Dee and his orchestra will follow.   Celebrated soprano Madame Licia Albanese is renowned for her interpretations of the great roles from the operas of Puccini and Verdi and appeared with Lanza in the Warner Bros. film Serenade. Ms. Malbin, this year's Mistress of Ceremonies for the Ball and star of many opera stages, recorded two duets with Lanza for an RCA album devoted to selections from his second film. Ms. Ross has appeared throughout the world specializing in the dramatic roles of the Italian and German repertoire. Mr. Tenaglia who like Lanza comes from Philadelphia, is a much sought after tenor and the only three-time winner of the Mario Lanza Institute's scholarship program. Mario Lanza was an ambassador for all good music. Through his films, concerts, recordings, radio show, and television appearances, he brought great enjoyment to all who experienced his wonderful and exciting talent and introduced many to the world of opera for the very first time.   For ticket information contact the Mario Lanza Institute at 215-238-9691. Requests may also be sent to Mario Lanza Institute P.O. Box 54624 Philadelphia, PA 19148-0624.   http://www.mario-lanza-institute.org