IN the dim light of his grandfather's Italian restaurant, Mark Vincent was drafted to work every Friday and Saturday night.
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He trained his voice as a tenor once a week at the school behind the restaurant, and, when 9pm rolled around on the weekends his grandfather would walk into the centre of the restaurant and tell the customers it was time to put down their forks and listen.
"I used to live and breathe those beautiful Italian songs at that age," Vincent said.
"My family are as Italian as they come, they're loud, they scream, they cook.
My family are as Italian as they come, they're loud, they scream, they cook.
- Mark Vincent
"I'm the only musician in my family, my uncle had a phenomenal voice like Frank Sinatra but in those days it wasn't regarded as a career.
"I was lucky enough to have a family who respected what I wanted to do and supported it."
Lucky for Tamworth they did, as Vincent brings his A Tribute to Mario Lanza concert to the Capitol Theatre.
Lanza was an American tenor and one of the great Hollywood film stars of the 1940s and 50s, he passed away while taking part in a controversial weight loss method where he was kept under twilight anaesthetic to stop him from eating.
Vincent's album, A Tribute to Mario Lanza, was born from his idea to sing alongside one of the voices of the century in a digital duet.
"I remember speaking to his daughter on the phone and she said to me, 'If anyone can take on the legacy I'm glad it's you'," Vincent said.
"To do that style of music it took me six months just to keep up with him, it wasn't an easy task.
"I always believe Mario Lanza didn't get enough recognition for how incredible he really was, he created classical crossover music."
Vincent's own career was bolstered when he won Australia's Got Talent as a 15-year-old boy.
Like a fine wine, his voice has only matured with age.
"There is a whole process to it, you don't just get up and sing," Vincent said.
"Personal fitness is very important, being on stage for an hour-and-a-half, it takes stamina to do that.
"I've been lucky enough to be with the same classical teacher for 15 years."
Recently, Vincent has parlayed his singing talents into roles in Dirty Dancing and Dame Julie Andrews' production of My Fair Lady.
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It was an experience no money could buy, Vincent said.
"She told me that when I sing, I should tell a story and be truthful, because lyrics have meaning," he said.
"I feel like my limits have been tested in a good way."
A Tribute to Mario Lanza is on at the Capitol Theatre, September 1. Buy tickets at entertainmentvenues.com.au.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
