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Adolphe (Théophile) Hamel. Organist, pianist, choirmaster, businessman, b Quebec City 15 May 1842, d there November 1887. He studied violin, then piano and organ with Paul Letondal as part of the academic studies he began in Montreal and completed in Quebec City.
Hamel, Adolphe
Adolphe (Théophile) Hamel. Organist, pianist, choirmaster, businessman, b Quebec City 15 May 1842, d there November 1887. He studied violin, then piano and organ with Paul Letondal as part of the academic studies he began in Montreal and completed in Quebec City. He was organist at the churches of St-Jean-Baptiste in 1864 and St-Patrice 1865-72 and again 1880-6, when he succeeded Calixa Lavallée who was departing for the USA. At St-Patrice masses by Haydn, Mozart, Gounod, and others were sung under his direction. Hamel was an accomplished choir conductor and is said to have possessed considerable skill as an improviser. He wrote an 'Ave Maria' for two voices.
