LAVALLÉE, CALIXA, 1842-1891
MUS 20

Calixa Lavallée fonds.  - 1880-1890.  - 4 textual records.  - 2 photographs.

Biographical sketch
Born in Verchères (Lower Canada, now Quebec), Calixa Lavallée received his first music lessons from his father.  In 1855 he moved to Montréal to continue his training with Paul Letondal and Charles Wugk Sabatier.  A gifted artist, he performed in Canada, South America and the United States, where he won first prize in a music competition in 1857.  Around 1870, he became music director and superintendent of the Grand Opera House of New York.  After a period studying in Paris (1873-75), he returned to Montréal and opened a studio with Jehin-Prume and soprano Rosita del Vecchio.  Appointed president of the Académie de musique du Québec in 1876 and 1879, he was also elected president of the Music Teachers' National Association around 1886.  Lavallée's compositions include pieces for piano, choir and voice, and chamber, theatre and orchestral music.  He also wrote the music for the national anthem O Canada. 

Scope and content
The fonds contains records pertaining to the professional activities of Calixa Lavallée: letter from Calixa Lavallée (Boston, 1889); copies of a diploma signed by Calixa Lavallée and of a manuscript score; concert programme; photographs of correspondence.

Immediate source of acquisition:  acquired from Montreal Book Auctions, Helmut Kallmann, Armour Landry and Jean-Guy Sylvestre in 1971, 1975 and 1980. 

Restrictions:  none. 

Finding aids:  inventory. 

Associated material:  Calixa-Lavallée fonds at the Maison générale des clercs de St-Viateur in Joliette, Quebec.