OPERA STAR SIMONEAU DIES

OPERA STAR SIMONEAU DIES

Canadian opera sensation LEOPOLD SIMONEAU has died peacefully at his home in Victoria, British Columbia. He was 90. The tenor passed away on Thursday night (24AUG06), 36 years since his final public performance singing HANDEL's MESSIAH with the Montreal Symphony. During his career Simoneau garnered a reputation for his technical control and was made a companion of the Order of Canada - one of Canada's highest honours - in 1995. Pacific Opera Victoria artistic director TIMOTHY VERNON says, "He worked with all the great conductors of an earlier generation. He was without doubt one of the most accomplished singers we have ever produced." Simoneau is survived by his wife, soprano PIERRETTE ALARIE.