He was pianist, organist, cellist, teacher and composer. Having lost his sight in early childhood, he received his training at the Institut des jeunes aveugles in Paris, studying piano with Friedrich Kalkbrenner or one of his disciples. He moved to Montreal in 1852 and, at the request of the Jesuits, became a professor at the College Sainte-Marie and was organist at the Chapel of Gesu from 1852 to 1869. The "inimitable blind cellist" performed at the Bonsecours Hall Souvenir de Norma and Fantaise brillante on Russian and Scottish themes by Franchomme as well as Grande fantaise concertante sur les nationaux, La Canadienne, God Save the Queen and Saint Patrick's Day by an anonymous composer (perhaps Letondal himself). At the piano, he performed his own 'grande fantaisie' , Souvenir de France, and accompanied his pupil Denise Rapin, a 12-year-old "Canadian prima donna." Evidently he was involved in business as well, since Letondal and Company are advertised as importers of French pianos in "La Minerve" of January 1855.
He was probably the first blind musician to settle in Canada. He had remarkable students including Edouard Clarke, Eupheme Coderre, Dominique Duchame, Joseph-A. Fowler, Gustave Gagnon, Calixa Lavallee, Clarence Lucas, Salomon Mazurette, Charles-Marie Panneton, Marie Regnault, Moise and Joseph Maucier, Marguerite Sym, Eugene Tessier and Antoinette Wilscam. He was a founding member of the AMQ and became its president (1882-1883 and 1888-1889). He was also a founding member and director of The Canadian Review. From 1876, he collaborated with Rosalie Euvrard to structure the teaching of music at the Institut Nazareth.
A cultured man and emeritus musician, he must be considered one of the pioneers of profession of music in Canada.
He was probably the first blind musician to settle in Canada. He had remarkable students including Edouard Clarke, Eupheme Coderre, Dominique Duchame, Joseph-A. Fowler, Gustave Gagnon, Calixa Lavallee, Clarence Lucas, Salomon Mazurette, Charles-Marie Panneton, Marie Regnault, Moise and Joseph Maucier, Marguerite Sym, Eugene Tessier and Antoinette Wilscam. He was a founding member of the AMQ and became its president (1882-1883 and 1888-1889). He was also a founding member and director of The Canadian Review. From 1876, he collaborated with Rosalie Euvrard to structure the teaching of music at the Institut Nazareth.
A cultured man and emeritus musician, he must be considered one of the pioneers of profession of music in Canada.
He was pianist, organist, cellist, teacher and composer. Having lost his sight in early childhood, he received his training at the Institut des jeunes aveugles in Paris, studying piano with Friedrich Kalkbrenner or one of his disciples. He moved to Montreal in 1852 and, at the request of the Jesuits, became a professor at the College Sainte-Marie and was organist at the Chapel of Gesu from 1852 to 1869. The "inimitable blind cellist" performed at the Bonsecours Hall Souvenir de Norma and Fantaise brillante on Russian and Scottish themes by Franchomme as well as Grande fantaise concertante sur les nationaux, La Canadienne, God Save the Queen and Saint Patrick's Day by an anonymous composer (perhaps Letondal himself). At the piano, he performed his own 'grande fantaisie' , Souvenir de France, and accompanied his pupil Denise Rapin, a 12-year-old "Canadian prima donna." Evidently he was involved in business as well, since Letondal and Company are advertised as importers of French pianos in "La Minerve" of January 1855.
He was probably the first blind musician to settle in Canada. He had remarkable students including Edouard Clarke, Eupheme Coderre, Dominique Duchame, Joseph-A. Fowler, Gustave Gagnon, Calixa Lavallee, Clarence Lucas, Salomon Mazurette, Charles-Marie Panneton, Marie Regnault, Moise and Joseph Maucier, Marguerite Sym, Eugene Tessier and Antoinette Wilscam. He was a founding member of the AMQ and became its president (1882-1883 and 1888-1889). He was also a founding member and director of The Canadian Review. From 1876, he collaborated with Rosalie Euvrard to structure the teaching of music at the Institut Nazareth.
A cultured man and emeritus musician, he must be considered one of the pioneers of profession of music in Canada.
He was probably the first blind musician to settle in Canada. He had remarkable students including Edouard Clarke, Eupheme Coderre, Dominique Duchame, Joseph-A. Fowler, Gustave Gagnon, Calixa Lavallee, Clarence Lucas, Salomon Mazurette, Charles-Marie Panneton, Marie Regnault, Moise and Joseph Maucier, Marguerite Sym, Eugene Tessier and Antoinette Wilscam. He was a founding member of the AMQ and became its president (1882-1883 and 1888-1889). He was also a founding member and director of The Canadian Review. From 1876, he collaborated with Rosalie Euvrard to structure the teaching of music at the Institut Nazareth.
A cultured man and emeritus musician, he must be considered one of the pioneers of profession of music in Canada.
Family Members
Advertisement
Advertisement
