Liberace was the most famous piano player in the world through his four decades of success. In this performance, Liberace plays a medley of Italian songs on his 1950s TV show, ‘The Liberace Show.’
After explaining that he has had many requests from his fans and Italian relatives to play more music from Italy, Liberace begins his introduction. He plays classics like ‘Torna a Surriento’ and ‘Giannina Mia.’
He tells the audience, ‘I hope you’ll excuse my Milwaukee Italian,’ referring to his Wisconsin accent. He sits in front of a background of curtains that actually hide the string players accompanying him. As each song begins, he announces the song title.
Liberace makes it look easy as his fingers fly across the keys. He is wearing a tuxedo, and his hair is perfectly in place as always. He sits at a grand piano complete with candelabra, and he doesn’t miss a note.
The songs are musically complex, yet Liberace finds time to smile at the audience throughout his fantastic piano riffs. He is accompanied by three violins that appear from behind curtains on the Italian classic ‘O Sole Mio.’
‘The Liberace Show’ ran from 1952 to 1969 and brought Liberace tremendous success. The show spawned movie appearances and concerts. At the height of his fame, Liberace was the highest-paid entertainer in the world.
He is so beloved; he has two stars on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame.’ Liberace embraced stardom and once proclaimed, ‘I’m a one-man Disneyland!’ His flashy costumes and virtuosic piano playing have been cherished by fans through the years!
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