Elvita E. Clementi

The beautiful voice of Elvita Clementi went silent on May 30, 2012, at the age of 90 when she passed away peacefully at South Pointe Healthcare Center.

She was born July 21, 1921 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, preceded in death by her parents, Filippo and Angela (Giaimo) Clementi, her brothers and sisters, Frances (John) Gumina, Florence (Charles) Doria, John (Cecelia) Clementi, Ethel (Sam) Anastasi and Anthony Clementi. She is survived by her sister-in-law Lois Clementi, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The family wishes to also acknowledge Elvita’s long time accompanist Geraldine Stone, special friend Philip Ciano and her close friend Leroy Heitl who is a resident at South Point.

The name and the lovely soprano voice of Elvita Clementi was very familiar to the audiences of the mid-west, whether through the medium of personal appearances, radio or television. She was best known as an opera singer, but not many people know that her career started at the age of four years old, when her sister Ethel, took her to radio station WTMJ and asked them to listen to her whistle. They liked her so much they put her on the radio. Elvita almost became a professional whistler! At every wedding or house gathering that she went to, she was asked to whistle and, Oh yes, she was asked to dance the Charleston – sometimes she got paid for it. She became interested in playing the violin, it became her favorite instrument. She played for her Mother and with her older sister Frances, who played the piano.

As time went by she played in grade school and high school orchestras, which taught her to appreciate the great classics. It was in fifth grade when she was selected to sing solo for a school play when she discovered she liked to sing. By the age of fourteen her interest in singing became stronger and she thought she could make a career of becoming a singer. In high school she did solo work for WEMP and was soprano soloists in the Acappella Choir. During her senior year she emerged as a winner in a contest that gave her an opportunity to do solo work on Heinie's program at WTMJ. It was also during that year that she became a member of the Florentine opera chorus. Then know as the Italian Opera Chorus, under the direction of Mr. Anello. It was not until two years after she graduated from high school that she finally got to study voice. Her voice teacher Mrs. Bloomfield arranged for a scholarship.

Elvita became well known as a lyrical soprano. She had her own radio program on WTMJ called “Elvita Clementi sings”. Her program went out over the radio and television coast to coast in 1946 and 1947. In addition she appeared as guest soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony and other known orchestras. Elvita appeared throughout the United States and other countries in concerts and leading roles in Operas and operettas. Some of her leading roles included Student Prince, Merry Widow, Pinafore, Mecato, Café International, Die Fledermaus, Martha, Carmen, La Boheme, La Traviata, and Suor Angelica.

In spite of becoming blind in 1949 and overcoming a tremendous handicap Elvita returned to the Opera stage and in 1961 sang the title role in Puccini’s Opera, Madame Butterfly with the Boston Opera Company. (The only blind opera star to have ever sung this title role). So poignant was her performance, so beautiful her soaring voice, that the audience was moved to tears. She was determined to make her comeback a success.

Prior to that she appeared as a guest soloist on WGN’s Chicago theatre of the air and after she lost her sight she appeared at the Alpine Village in the Operetta “Café International” under the direction of Werner Buchel. Elvita also was a soloist at Music under the Stars and other park concerts.

Up until two years ago Elvita lived alone and valued her independence. She taught voice to many promising young students. Her gifts of music delighted many.

Funeral Services will be held Monday June 4 at 11 AM at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 9309 S. Chicago Av., Oak Creek. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation Monday, at the Church, from 10 AM until time of Mass.

MOLTHEN-BELL & SON

Serving the Family

South Milwaukee, WI

(414) 762 – 0154