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The Lauriers, patrons of the mandolin

Towards the end of the 19th century, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and his wife were part of a social circle of musicians and artists. The couple met while Wilfrid was studying law in Montreal and boarding with Séraphin Gauthier, a friend of his father and a great music lover. His wife, Zoé Lafontaine, born in Montreal in 1841, was a musician, pianist and mandolinist. The Lauriers married in 1868 and played an active role in the development of the French-Canadian musical movement.

The French-Canadian music movement and the rise of liberalism in Canada

Around 1895, there was a stirring of culture and identity in Canada. The conservative policies of the 19th century and the question of national identity resurface in the news. We witness the rise of liberalism and a French-Canadian identity movement in Quebec. Wilfrid Laurier, born in Saint-Lin in 1841, was a politician, lawyer and journalist. He became Prime Minister of Canada in 1896, propelling the country into the 20th century. His federal policies and openness to immigration fostered Canada's cultural and economic development.

LE CERCLE MÉLODIQUE

Under the skilful direction of piano, mandolin and solfeggio teacher Madame Wilfrid Gagnon, the mandolin orchestra performs choice pieces from a wide repertoire. The mandolinists are talented young musicians, many of whom have obtained music diplomas.

WEbsites

J.E. Bélair (1895-), Le Passe-Temps

https://collections.banq.qc.ca/ark:/52327/2272562

www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca

www.banq.qc.ca

Readings

SPARKS, P. (1995) The Classical Mandolin, BÉLANGER, R. (1986) Wilfrid Laurier, quand la politique devient passion, SAINT-JACQUES D. et DES RIVIÈRES M.J. (2015) De la belle époque à la crise, BORDES E. (1980) Le Mémorial du Québec, le Québec 1839-1889, AMTMANN, W. (1976) La musique au Québec 1600 - 1875, LINTEAU, P.-A. (1997). Quelle Belle Époque? Cap-aux-Diamants, COTÉ, C. (1990). Les racines de la musique populaire québécoise.