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. Lohengrin (Wagner) Grazie, o Signor D 12310 WB 2481 Columbia, Milano
2. Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti) Cruda funesta smania D 5760 B 1639 Columbia, Milano
3. Mefistofele (Boito) Son lo spirito che nega 2-52750 Gramophone, Milano 1910-04-15
4. Nerone (Boito) Ecco il magico specchio D 12305 B 2496 Columbia, Milano
5. Nerone (Boito) Vivete in pace D 12305 B 2500 Columbia, Milano
6. Otello (Verdi) Credo in un dio crudel D 5383 B 480 Columbia, Milano 1924/1925
7. Otello (Verdi) Era la notte D 5383 B 699 Columbia, Milano 19241925
8. Pagliacci (Leoncavallo) Prologo, pt 1 and pt 2 D5761 D5761 WB1722 WB1723 Columbia, Milano 1927-11/12
9. Rigoletto  (Verdi) Cortigiani vil razza D 14592 BX 617 Columbia, Milano
10. Rigoletto (Verdi)  Pari Siamo D 5759  WB 164 Columbia, Milano
11. Rigoletto (Verdi) Ah! Veglia, o donna with Elda Di Veroli D 5758 B 1694 Columbia, Milano 1924/1925
12. Rigoletto (Verdi) Figlia! Mio padre!… Deh! Non parlare al misero with Nunu Sanchioni DQ 652, WB 3433, DQ 652, WB 3434 Columbia, Milano 1930-05-30
13. Rigoletto (Verdi) Sì, vendetta with Elda Di Veroli D 5758 B 1692 Columbia, Milano 1924/1925
14. Tannhauser (Wagner)  O tu bell’astro  D 12306  B 2515 Columbia, Milano
15. Tannhauser (Wagner) Allor che tu coll’estro D 12306 B 2513 Columbia, Milano
16. Tosca (Puccini) Ella verrà D12312 WB2525 Columbia, Milano 1929-08/09
17. Toscanata (Baccini) Edison 20574 Edison 2-min cylinders, Milano 1907/1908
18. Traviata (Verdi) Di Provenza il mar D 5385 B 513 Columbia, Milano 1924/1925
19. Trovatore (Verdi) Il balen D 5385 B 724 Columbia, Milano 1924/1925