'O Canada' - the back story

# The Life and Legacy of Calixa Lavallée: Composer of "O Canada"

## A Journey Begins

As a 14-year-old, the young Calixa Lavallée left his native town of Montreal. He joined the traveling troupe 'The New Orleans Minstrels.' This marked the start of an exciting life on the road, touring the USA as a musician. The year was 1859, nearly 180 years ago.

It must have been an extraordinary time. Moving and performing throughout the States was especially significant during the turbulent two years leading up to the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861. At just 16 years old, Lavallée enlisted in the 4th Rhode Island Infantry Regiment in New York. He aimed to support the Unionist army cause. Serving as a private and a musician in the regimental band, he dedicated four years to this effort. After the war, he returned to Montreal. Now 21 years old, he was perhaps older than his years. He began teaching music, composing, and arranging concerts.

Lavallée at 21 years old

Lavallée in Union Army Uniform aged 19

## Love and Music in Paris

At 22, he returned to the States to tour again with The New Orleans Minstrels. During this time, he fell in love and married Joséphine Gentilly. They left for Paris, where they spent a couple of years. Eventually, they returned to Montreal, where Lavallée continued performing, composing, and working as a pianist and music teacher.

Lavallée at 30 years old

Now in his early 30s, he conducted orchestral and operatic productions in concert halls. He frequently traveled between Canada and the USA, establishing himself in the music scene.

## The Birth of a National Anthem

To celebrate St. Jean-Baptiste Day in 1880, the Lieutenant Governor of Québec, Théodore Robitaille, commissioned the now 37-year-old Lavallée to compose "O Canada." This piece was set to a patriotic poem by Adolphe-Basile Routhier. It quickly became a popular tune of its time.

Lavallée faced financial difficulties in Canada. Once again, he moved to the United States, where he became the choirmaster at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. Unfortunately, he struggled with illness and bad health, ultimately contracting tuberculosis. Tragically, he died in that city in 1891, penniless and just 49 years old.

Lavallée towards the end of his life

## A Lasting Legacy

Recognizing it as an important piece of Canadian heritage, Lavallée's composition for 'O Canada' was formally adopted as Canada's National Anthem in 1980, almost exactly 100 years after it was composed. Although the accompanying words have been updated, the original music remains unchanged to this day.

As a trio, we are exploring some of Lavallée's other compositions. We hope to showcase some of his lesser-known pieces in our upcoming concerts.

## Selected Musical Works

• Peacocks in Difficulties/Loulou, comic opera

• The Bridal Rose Overture, operetta

• The King of Diamonds, overture

• L'Absence, lyrics by Remi Tremblay, 1882–1885

• L'Oiseau Mouche, Bluette de Salon, Op.11, 1865?

• La Rose Nuptiale, brass quintet

• Une Couronne de Lauriers, Caprice de Genre, Op.10, 1865

• Le Papillon (The Butterfly) Étude de Concert for piano, 1874/1884

• La Patrie (1874)

• Marche funèbre, 1878

• Violette, cantilène, lyrics by Napoleon Legendre and P.J. Curran, 1879

• "O Canada", 1880

• The Widow, 1881, comic opera (known in French as La veuve)

• TIQ (The Indian Question), Settled at Last, 1882, comic opera

  
  

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