With Legros's retirement, the haute-contre voice gradually disappeared from the French operatic stage, as his successor, Étienne Lainez, had a true tenor voice.
Performer Biography
Beyond singing, Legros was also a composer and administrator, directing the Concert Spirituel from 1777 to 1791 and introducing Mozart's works to Paris.
Performer Biography
Legros was known for his exceptional musical abilities, including a wide vocal range with brilliant high notes, an expressive tone, and virtuosity.
Composition History
Legros's vocal talents inspired composers like La Borde, Trial, Berton, Gossec, and Grétry to write specifically for the haute-contre voice.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Christoph Willibald Gluck's arrival in Paris in 1774 marked a turning point for Legros, as Gluck believed musical revolution should encompass interpretation as well as composition.
Performer Biography
Joseph Legros (1739-1793), the haute-contre singer featured on this album, was a principal singer at the Paris Opéra from 1764 to 1783.
