MOLITORE, Edward

MOLITORE, Edward. (Wilmette, IL-Dubuque, IA, May 26, 2002). Leading grand opera tenor and artist. Molitore came to Dubuque at the age of three with his father, Rev. Hugh Atchison, who was beginning as pastor of ST. LUKE'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. Molitore attended school in Dubuque and graduated in 1915. He graduated from Northwestern University in Chicago and then received a fellowship to study grand opera in Italy. It was there that Molitore took his mother's name when he found Italians had difficulty pronouncing his father's name. (1)

Returning to the United States, Molitore began his operatic career that included six summers with the Cincinnati Opera Company. In 1930 he was featured during a ten-week season in Cincinnati's Zoological Garden. (2) He appeared in six spring seasons with the Detroit Civic Opera Company, tours with the San Carlo Grand Opera and performances with Geraldine Farrar and a leading role with Irene Dunne during a twelve-week schedule with the St. Louis Municipal Summer Opera. Molitore also performed with the Chicago North Shore Music Festival, Cincinnati May Music Festival, and the Philadelphia Grand Opera Company. He sang in the role of "the duke" in the film adaptation of Rigoletto, the first movie using a sound track attached to the film. Flattering reviews of Molitore's performances have been written for the Cincinnati Times-Star, New York Post, New York Sun, and the Minneapolis Tribune. (3)

In 1920 Molitore began painting while living in Italy. While capable of producing photo-like landscape pictures using oils, he found his greatest satisfaction in portraits. Commissions came from across the United States. In 1991 Molitore knew several of his works were on display in Africa. Molitore received an award in 1991 in recognition of his special commitment to HILLCREST FAMILY SERVICES. (4)

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Source:

1. Lamphier-Hoffert, Denise. "Dubuquer Masters Two Arts Careers," Telegraph Herald, February 18, 1991, p. 3A

2. "Music: Zoo Opera," Time Magazine. Online: http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,739661,00.html

3. Lamphier-Hoffert

4. Ibid.