Calixa Lavallée

Canadian composer

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June 30, 2026

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Calixa Lavallée was a Canadian composer and pianist, born in Quebec in 1842. He is best known for composing the music for "O Canada," which was proclaimed the official national anthem of Canada in 1980. The music was commissioned in 1880 for a visit by the Governor-General of Canada and his wife. Lavallée passed away in 1891.12

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O Canada
The music, written by Calixa Lavallée (1842–91), a concert pianist and native of Verchères, Quebec, was commissioned in 1880 on the occasion of a visit to Quebec by John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, marquess of Lorne (later 9th duke of Argyll), then governor-general of Canada, and his wife, Queen Victoria’s…
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The music, written by Calixa Lavallée (1842–91), a concert pianist and native of Verchères, Quebec, was commissioned in 1880 on the occasion of a visit to Quebec by John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, marquess of Lorne (later 9th duke of Argyll), then governor-general of Canada, and his wife, Queen Victoria’s…
Read More