Donald Simonson
Donald Simonson, tenor, holds the B.M, B.M.E., and M.M. degrees in voice
and vocal performance from Drake University, and the D.M. degree in
vocal performance from Northwestern University. He continued his studies
in voice and opera at the Akademie für Musik in Vienna, Austria.
His principle teachers include Marion Hall, Otto Edelmann, Anton Dermota,
Berton Coffin, and Norman Gulbrandsen. He has sung leading roles and
appeared as a soloist with opera companies, symphony orchestras and
chamber ensembles throughout Europe, America, and the Far East including
concert performances with ensembles such as the Warsaw Philharmonic,
the Wiener Philharmonia Solisten, the Clemencic Consort, and the Austrian
National Radio Symphony, and has been featured on Austrian, German,
and Italian national radio and television broadcasts. He has recorded
for the Musical Heritage, Harmonia Mundi, Musique D'or, and CBS/Sony
Classical labels. As a recitalist, Simonson performs regularly in the
United States and abroad, recently completing a recital tour of the
Republic of China, where he also performed the title role in Mozart's
"La clemenza di Tito." In addition to his active performance
schedule, Simonson currently serves as chair of the voice division at
Iowa State University where he teaches voice, vocal literature and pedagogy,
and directs musical theatre. Simonson also maintains an active research
laboratory at ISU specializing in vocal acoustics and regularly publishes
his findings in leading scientific journals.
Shows
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
4/08 - Musical Director
- The Music Man
4/07 - Musical Director
- The Marriage Of Figaro
11/06 - Vocal Coach
- My Fair Lady
4/06 - Musical Director
- The Secret Garden
4/05 - Musical Director
- Fiddler On The Roof
4/04 - Musical Director
- Ruddigore or The Witch's Curse
11/03 - Musical Prepartion
- Brigadoon
4/03 - Music Director
- Grease
4/02 - Musical Director
- Into the Woods
4/00 - Musical Director
- The Pirates of Penzance
11/94 - Music Director
- Chicago
11/92 - Musical Director
