Mario Lanza treated his voice like a child who’s discovered he can do something special. He just couldn’t help showing it off and going for impossibly high notes. The artistry of figure skating reaches its pinnacle when paired with the timeless beauty of music, and few performances exemplify this better than Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov skating to Mario Lanza’s heartfelt rendition of If I Loved You. This unforgettable performance combines the couple’s unparalleled on-ice chemistry with Lanza’s soaring vocals, creating an emotional masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences decades later.
Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov, known as “G&G,” were more than just skating partners; they were a real-life love story. Their on-ice partnership captivated audiences throughout their career, winning two Olympic gold medals and four World Championships. The duo’s connection was evident in every performance, but If I Loved You holds a special place as one of their most poignant showcases of artistry and romance.
Skating to Lanza’s deeply emotional song, originally from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel, Gordeeva and Grinkov brought the lyrics to life with their seamless movements, expressive storytelling, and flawless technique. Their performance is a testament to their ability to translate music into motion, creating a visual representation of love, longing, and beauty.
Mario Lanza’s rendition of If I Loved You is a classic in its own right. His rich, operatic voice conveys both the tenderness and the intensity of unspoken love, perfectly complementing G&G’s skating style. The song’s swelling crescendos and delicate melodies mirror the duo’s movements on the ice, from powerful lifts to graceful spins, making the performance a harmonious blend of music and motion.
This performance holds even deeper meaning given the tragic loss of Sergei Grinkov in 1995, at the age of 28. For many fans, watching Gordeeva and Grinkov skate to If I Loved You feels like revisiting a moment frozen in time—a celebration of their love and their unmatched artistry.
The pairing of Lanza’s music with G&G’s skating continues to inspire new generations of skaters and music lovers alike. It’s a reminder of the transcendent power of art to evoke emotions and tell stories that stay with us forever.
