Leon Laffitte (Tenor) (Saint-Genies 1875 - Paris 1938)

He studied singing at the Paris Conservatory and made his debut in 1898 at the Paris Grand Opera as David in ''Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg'' of Wagner. In 1900 he appeared at the Grand Opera in the premiere of the opera ''Lancelot'' of F.L. R. Joncieres, in 1901 in ''Astarte'' of Xavier Leroux, in 1902 in the premiere of the ''Pagliacci'' of Leoncavallo as Beppe. In 1899 he went to the opera (Theatre de la Monnaie) in Brussels in which he appeared 15 times with great success. Here he appeared in 1906 in the premiee of Massnet's ''Le jongleur de Notre Dame'' as Jean and in 1905 in the premiere of the opera ''Martylle'' of Albert Dupuis. He created the same part in 1906 at the Covent Garden, London. Before the First World War he guested in Germany, Russia, Finland and in Holland. In 1908 he sang in the Paris premiere of ''Siegfried'' as a partner of Ernest van Dyck. In 1913 he sang in the Boston Opera among in the American premiere of ''Djamileh'' of Bizet as a partner of Lucille Marcel. In 1916 he went to South America, where he sang in Buenos Aires, Teatro Colуn and in Rio de Janeiro. In 1923 he appeared again in Paris Grand Opera in ''Samson et Dalila'' of Saint-Saens and in ''La damnation de Faust'' of Berlioz, in 1924 in the Theatre des Champs-Elysees in the premiere of the opera ''Les Burgraves'' of Leon Sachs. Then, in the following season he finished his career.

Chronology of some appearances

1898 Paris Grand Opera Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg (David)
1902 Paris Grand Opera Pagliacci (Beppe)
1906 Brussels Theatre de la Monnaie Le jongleur de Notre Dame (Jean)

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

 

G&T, Paris 1901

Manon (Massenet): Ah fuyez, douce image 32104 624G
Sigurd (Reyer): J'ai garde mon ame ingenue 32987    3750G
Sigurd (Reyer): Prince du Rhin 32988  3751G
Sigurd (Reyer): Un souvenir poignant 32093 643G
Roi d'Ys (Lalo): Aubade 32993 3754G
Prophete (Meyerbeer): Roi du Ciel  42989  3765G
Reine de Saba (Gounod): Faiblesse de la race humaine 32094 648G
Favorite (Donizetti): Un ange, une femme inconnue 32100 650G

Zonophone, Paris 1903?

Manon (Massenet): Ah fuyez, douce image X-2174    

Huguenots (Meyerbeer): Plus blanche que la blanche ermine X-2177