Calixa+Lavallée


 * __Calixa Lavallée

__**


 * Calixa Lavallée was born in Quebec in 1842, and died in Boston in 1891; he was only 49 years old.

Calixa liked adventures so he did a lot of traveling. He lived in New York, Paris, and London. He traveled as a violinist to Mexico and Brazil. He even signed up for the American Civil War.

Why is** **Calixa Lavallée** **an important Canadian composer?**
 * In 1880, Calixa was asked to compose the music to 'O Canada', which at the time was a French poem, for a celebration known as Jean Baptiste Day; a celebration of French culture in Canada.

Calixa was inspired by a waterfall in his hometown. He claims that as he was sitting by the waterfall, he heard the music for 'O Canada' in the pounding water.

He did not know at the time that 'O Canada' would become our National Anthem in 1980; one hundred years after it had been composed.

Go to this site to see a video called** **[|Les Voltigeurs de Quebec]** **,which is about the first rehersal of 'O Canada'**