Léopold Simoneau

Léopold Simoneau, CC (May 3 1916 – August 24 2006) was a Canadian light-lyric tenor.

Born in St. Flavien, Quebec, Simoneau attended Levis College and Université Laval.

He became known after singing in 1949 at the Opéra-Comique of Paris and later sang in many French and Italian operas. He retired from his singing career in 1970 to teach in Canada.^[1]

In the 1950's he made several famous recordings, including one of the Mozart Requiem with Bruno Walter conducting, in which he was the tenor soloist. In a celebrated Philips Records recording of George Bizet's opera Les Pecheurs de Perles conducted by Jean Fournet, he gave what some critics feel is the definitive performance of the role of Nadir. This recording of the opera itself is also considered definitive.^[2] Simoneau also sang the role of Belmonte in Sir Thomas Beecham's 1956 recording of Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio, another item considered a classic.

In 1971 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 1995. In 1997, he was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec.

In 1946 he married Pierrette Alarie, a soprano and also an Officer of the Order of Canada. They had two daughters, Isabelle and Chantal.

On August 24 2006, Mr. Simoneau died in Victoria, British Columbia at the age of 90.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Décès de Léopold Simoneau, Le Temps. no. 2653. Culture, August 29, 2006.
2. ^ www.answers.com/topic/jean-fournet

External links

• Léopold Simoneau at The Canadian Encyclopedia

Donate to Wikimedia