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ACROSS A CROWDED WORLD by Ezio Pinza Kirkus Star

ACROSS A CROWDED WORLD

By

Publisher: Doubleday

The currently popular singing star turns in a disarming autobiography which is a happily reflective recall of a life, not outstanding in incident particularly, which on the whole has been good. The effect is a rags-to-riches theme, for his youth in Italy was hampered by poverty, and work in a brick factory, as a carpenter, baker and as a bicycle rider filled his days. But his father's superstitious determination that Ezio should be a singer won out, only to have World War I put his voice on ice, with the real start to come at its finish. There was the marriage to Augusta, a mistake from the beginning, the chance at La Scala, singing under Toscanini, Walter, and others, South America where Augusta had her baby, and the return to Europe and operatic acclaim. Then to the Metropolitan in 1926 and after a Salzburg appearance the hiring of Constance Hope to be his publicity agent with the hope of other than operatic roles. And the meeting with Doris which led to his present marriage and then, after many frustrations about moving pictures -- South Pacific and all its success. Not just another recording of a singer's life, and perhaps not a record, but a personal history that is delight to read which should have a good market among his large following and be assured of a sympathetic press.