Description

ENRICO MOLINARI (VENICE, 21 DECEMBER, 1882 – MILAN, 15 JUNE, 1956)

He began his education at the Liceo Musicale Benedetto Marcello in Venice and made his debut as a bass in 1905 at Vicenza. He performed in various Italian theaters before transitioning to baritone roles after further training. In 1911, he performed as Robinson in Cimarosa’s Il matrimonio segreto at the Politeama Reinach in Parma.

In 1915, Molinari re-debuted as a baritone at the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele in Turin, singing Re Raimondo in Donizetti’s Isabeau. He became a frequent performer at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome, where he appeared in significant roles, including Amonasro in Aida in 1917, Scarpia in Tosca in 1919, and in the premiere of Gino Marinuzzi’s Jacquerie. By 1924, he performed at major venues, including Teatro Dell’Opera in Rome as Rigoletto and La Scala as Escamillo in Carmen.

He also guested abroad, including performances at the San Carlo in Lisbon (1920), Budapest, and Arena di Verona (1926). In the 1930s, he transitioned into bass-buffo roles, appearing in Italy’s leading opera houses. Molinari retired in 1951 and lived at the Casa di Riposo G. Verdi in Milan until his passing.

Chronology of some appearances

1905 Vicenza  Teatro Verdi Trovatore (Ferrando)
1910 Milano  Teatro Lirico  Mignon (Lotario)
1915  Torino   Teatro Vittorio Emanuele  Isabeau (Re Raimondo)
1920 Madrid  Teatro Reale  Il Segreto di Susanna (Gil)
1925 Milano Teatro La Scala  Andrea Chenier (Gerard)
1930 Novara  Teatro Coccia  Rigoletto (Rigoletto)
1935 Genova  Teatro Carlo Felice  I Capuleti E I Montecchi di V. Bellini
1940 Genova  Teatro Carlo Felice  Il Campiello di E. Wolf-Ferrari
1945 Trieste Teatro Verdi  I Quattro Rusteghi (Maurizio)
1951 Catania  Giardino Bellini Aida (Amonasro) 

TRACKLIST

1. Andrea Chenier (Giordano) Son  sessant’anni miei D 5760 B 1638 Columbia, Milano
2. Andrea Chenier (Giordano) Un di mera di gioia D 16245 BX 186 Columbia, Milano
3. Ballo in maschera (Verdi) V’è se di notte pt 1, 2 with Giannina Arangi-Lombardi, Salvatore Baccaloni and Attilio Bordonoali  D 14591, BX 652, D 14591, BX 656 Columbia, Milano
4. Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Dunque io son with Nunu Sanchioni D 5386 B 542 Columbia, Milano
5. Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) Largo al factotum D 5386 B 470 Columbia, Milano 1924/1925
6. Bohème (Puccini) Vecchia zimarra 2-52735 162ah Gramophone, Milano 1910-04-15
7. Dinorah (Meyerbeer) Sei vendicata assai D 12308 WB 2528 Columbia, Milano
8. Duo Foscari  (Verdi) O vecchio cor D 6052 B 2508 Columbia, Milano
9. Duo Foscari (Verdi) Questa dunque e i`iniqua D 6052 B 2510 Columbia, Milano
10. E’ naturale (Feydeau) Edison 20575 Edison 2-min cylinders, Milano 1907/1908
11. Ernani (Verdi) Fa che a me venga… Da quel di with Giannina Arangi-Lombardi D 18072, BX 641, D 18073, BX 642 Columbia, Milano
12. Ernani (Verdi) Lo vedremo veglio audace D 12308 WB 2521 Columbia, Milano
13. Faust (Gounod) Dio possente D1231 WB2519 Columbia, Milano 1929-0809
14. Faust (Gounod) Morte di Valentino P1 and P2 with Elena Cheli D 14590 BX 646, D 14590 BX 647 Columbia, Milano
15. Favorita (Donizetti) Vien Leonora D12462 B689 Columbia, Milano 19241925 (ac)
16. Forza del destino (Verdi) Urna fatale D12310 WB2482 Columbia, Milano 1929-0809
17. Gioconda (Ponchielli) Cosi mantieni il patto with Giannina Arangi-Lombardi 18074 WBX 645 Columbia, Milano
18. Guglielmo Ratcliff (Mascagni) Padre Nostro with Aide Mussini 45014-B Victor, USA 1910-05-03