V0700. LÉOPOLD SIMONEAU, w.Bernhard Paumgartner Cond. Vienna S.O. & Walter Goehr Cond. Amsterdam Phil.: Arias from Don Giovanni, Così fan Tutte, La Clemenza di Tito, Entführung, La Finta Giardiniera & Idomeneo; Per pietà, non ricercate, K.420; Misero! O sogno, o son desto?, K.425b (all Mozart). (Italy) Urania 11.923, recorded 1953-54. - 8025726119234

CRITIC REVIEWS:

"Léopold Simoneau was the epitome of the French tenor, meaning that he had a light voice, beautiful diction and a mastery of musical nuance….By the time he made his Met début as Don Ottavio in Mozart’s DON GIOVANNI, in 1963, Mr Simoneau was acknowledged as one of the world’s leading performers of the role….After initial voice studies in Québec City, he moved to Montréal…where he met Ms Alarie….they were married in 1946…."

- Anne Midgette, THE NEW YORK TIMES, 29 Aug., 2006



"Simoneau was the most elegant Mozart tenor of his time – and it was a time that saw the likes of Valletti, Gedda, Alva, Kraus and Burrows. He had a uniquely beautiful voice, seamlessly produced, with a rich, gleaming middle range and a perfect legato. His control of dynamics was peerless: any note could be swelled or diminished at will, without the slightest disturbance to the vocal line. All the finesse did not preclude strength and virility; Simoneau was always dramatically alive and responsive to the words."

- Ralph V. Lucano, AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE, May/June, 2005