Léon Ponzio (Baritone) (Pyrenées 1887 – Paris 1947)

                                                                  Figaro

                                                              Escamillo

He made his debut in 1910 at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels and remained engaged in this opera house till 1914. In 1919 he appeared in several French and Italian operas at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo. In the 1920-1922 seasons he was once more a member of the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels. In 1922 he appeared at the Théâtre Lyrique of Paris in the operetta ‘’Les Mousquetaires au Couvent’’ by L. Varney. In 1930 he sang at the Grand Opéra in Paris the role of Figaro in ‘’Il Barbiere di Siviglia’’, Germont-père in ‘’La Traviata’’ and the eponymous hero in ‘’Marouf’’ by H. Rabaud. In 1932 he appeared as a guest at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. In 1935 he gave a successful guest performance at the Covent Garden as Figaro in ‘’Il Barbiere di Siviglia’’ and Marcello in ‘’La Bohème’’. Later he was active as a singing teacher in Paris.

 Chronology of some appearances

1910-1914 Brussels Théâtre de la Monnaie

1919 Monte-Carlo Opéra

1920-1922 Brussels Théâtre de la Monnaie

1922 Paris Théâtre Lyrique

1930 Paris Grand Opéra

1932 Paris Opéra-Comique

1935 London Covent Garden

RECORDINGS FOR SALE

Pathé, Paris 1923/1924
Mme Favart (Offenbach): Quand je cherche dans ma cervelle 2089

Pathé, Paris 1932?
Brigands (Offenbach): Trio des Marmitons with Luart and Balbon 92011
Brigands (Offenbach): Choeurs des Bottes with Luart and Balbon 92011