Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann (ca. 1855 – 30 March 1946) was a German-Canadian

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and Def ...

operetta Operetta is a form of theatre and a genre of light opera. It includes spoken dialogue, songs, and dances. It is lighter than opera in terms of its music, orchestral size, length of the work, and at face value, subject matter. Apart from its ...

s, conductor and

educator A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching. ''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. whe ...

, and

violin The violin, sometimes known as a '' fiddle'', is a wooden chordophone ( string instrument) in the violin family. Most violins have a hollow wooden body. It is the smallest and thus highest-pitched instrument ( soprano) in the family in regu ...

ist best known for his

Leo, the Royal Cadet ''Leo, the Royal Cadet'' is a light opera with music by Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann. The libretto was by George Frederick Cameron. It was composed in Kingston, Ontario, Canada in 1889. The work centres on Nellie's love for Leo, a cadet at the Royal M ...

''.

Early life

Telgmann was born in Mengeringhausen (now part of

Bad Arolsen Bad Arolsen (, until 1997 Arolsen, ''Bad'' being the German name for ''Spa'') is a small town in northern Hesse, Germany, in Waldeck-Frankenberg district. From 1655 until 1918 it served as the residence town of the Princes of Waldeck-Pyrmont and ...

), Waldeck, Germany, to Jean Ferdinand Telgmann and Dorette Margaret Leonhardti. In 1863, at age 6 emigrated with his parents to

Kingston, Ontario Kingston is a city in Ontario, Canada. It is located on the north-eastern end of Lake Ontario, at the beginning of the St. Lawrence River and at the mouth of the Cataraqui River (south end of the Rideau Canal). The city is midway between Tor ...

via New York. He began his musical studies in Canada.

Career

In 1882, with his siblings, Telgmann formed the Telgmann Concert Party, a touring ensemble. He founded, in 1892, the Kingston Conservatory of Music and School of Elocution of which he was principal for over 25 years. He led the school's student orchestra. In 1914, he founded the Kingston Symphony Orchestra, which he conducted until his retirement in 1936. Leo, the Royal Cadet Opera based on Royal Military College of Canada

Leo, the Royal Cadet Opera based on Royal Military College of Canada

Telgmann composed three operettas, ''The Miller and the Maid'', ''King of Siam'' and ''Leo, the Royal Cadet''. The latter achieved over 1,700 performances between its premiere in 1889 and 1925 and has recently been revived in a revised version. Other compositions included marches such as "Boo Hoo's Queen's Dominion Victory March" (1922) and "The Mascot: Boo Hoo's March to Queen's Rugby Team". He composed songs such as "The Nutcracker Mazurka", "Mr. Craig", "The Laird of Glenburne", and "Scotch Country Dance".

Personal life

Telgmann married Alida Jackson. Their daughter Mignon Telgmann (born 1898) was a violin teacher. Telgmann died in

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anch ...

in 1946 at the age of approximately 91. A music

bursary A bursary is a monetary award made by any educational institution or funding authority to individuals or groups. It is usually awarded to enable a student to attend school, university or college when they might not be able to, otherwise. Some awa ...

established by his family in his memory and that of his daughter Mignon (born 1898) was subsequently established at Queen's University.

Works

*Mascot music for Boo Hoo the Bear, "Boo Hoo's Queen's Dominion Victory March" (1922) and "The Mascot: Boo Hoo's March to Queen's Rugby Team" * ''

'', "Ho! Ho! My Airy Fairy Maid", "Ho! Ho! My Pretty Maid", "I met him in the far away" from ''Opera and Operetta Excerpts''; composer: Oscar Telgmann, words: George Frederick Cameron * "Farewell, O Fragrant Pumpkin Pie" from ''

''; composer: Oscar Telgmann, words: George Frederick Cameron * Klondyke march and two step icroform/ usic byOscar Ferdinand Telgmann Kingston: Music Emporium, c. 1897 * The British Whig march or piano/ by Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann Kingston, Ont. c. 1900 * Our Premier usic/ words by George Frederick Cameron; music by Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann, Kingston, Ontario: C.J. Cameron, c. 1885 in honour of John A. Macdonald * Scotch Country Dance for piano and

music by Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann, Kingston, Ontario * The Usual way for medium voice and piano by Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann, Kingston, OntarioThe Usual way
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Early life

Career

Personal life

Works

References

See also