Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Canada

Birth

:

December 28, 1842

Death

:

January 21, 1891

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Opera

 

Calixa Lavallée was a Canadian composer, pianist, and conductor who is best known for composing the music for the Canadian national anthem, "O Canada." He was born on December 28, 1842, in Verchères, Quebec, Canada, to a musical family. His father, Augustin Lavallée, was a musician and composer, and his mother, Julie-Joséphine, was a singer and pianist. Lavallée showed an early interest in music and began studying piano with his father at a young age. He also received formal music training at the Montreal Conservatory of Music, where he studied composition with Romain-Octave Pelletier and piano with Paul Letondal. He was a talented student and won several awards and prizes for his musical abilities. After completing his studies at the Montreal Conservatory, Lavallée began his career as a pianist and conductor. He performed extensively throughout Canada and the United States, and he was known for his virtuosic piano playing and his ability to conduct large orchestras. In addition to his work as a performer, Lavallée was also a prolific composer. He wrote music in a variety of genres, including opera, ballet, and symphonic works. Some of his most famous compositions include the opera "The Widow," the ballet "The Seasons," and the symphonic poem "La Rose Nuptiale." However, Lavallée's most enduring legacy is his composition of the music for "O Canada." The lyrics for the national anthem were written by Adolphe-Basile Routhier in 1880, and Lavallée was commissioned to write the music. He composed the melody in 1880, and the song was first performed on June 24, 1880, at a Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebration in Quebec City. "O Canada" quickly became popular throughout Canada, and it was officially adopted as the national anthem in 1980, 100 years after it was first composed. Today, it is one of the most recognizable national anthems in the world, and it is played at official events and ceremonies throughout Canada. Despite his success as a composer and performer, Lavallée faced many challenges throughout his life. He struggled with financial difficulties, and he was often forced to take on teaching jobs and other work to support himself and his family. He also suffered from health problems, including a chronic respiratory illness that eventually led to his death. Lavallée died on January 21, 1891, in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 48. He was buried in the Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and his grave is marked with a monument that bears the inscription "Composer of O Canada." Today, Lavallée is remembered as one of Canada's most important composers and musicians. His contributions to Canadian music and culture are celebrated each year on Calixa Lavallée Day, which is observed on December 28, his birthday. His music continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world, and his legacy as the composer of "O Canada" will always be remembered.

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