Francis Vogeler

Vogeler, Francis

Vogeler (b Vogler), Francis(François Henri, b Franz Heinrich). Music dealer, instrument importer, teacher, b Hessen, Germany, 1746 or 1747, d Quebec City 1821. He came to Canada as an oboist in the Prince Frederick Regiment, one of the Brunswick units. At the time the term 'oboist' referred to any musician who was part of the militia. Jean-Pierre Wilhelmy describes him as a 'fifer' in his book Les Mercenaires allemands au Québec du XVIII^e siècle et leur apport à la population/German Mercenaries in Canada (Montreal 1984, transl Honey Thomas, Montreal 1985). Vogeler returned to civilian life in 1783. Vogeler's first advertisement in the Quebec Gazette, in June 1788, offers four pianos imported from London as well as sheet music and music books. He was a friend and rival of Frederick Glackemeyer, and the two engaged in friendly competition to attract a limited clientele. In 1790-1 both took part in the orchestral subscription concerts of the Quebec Assembly and were remunerated for their services. In 1815 Vogeler was offering for sale 'an elegant bird organ' (Amtmann p 214); at the same time he announced that he taught piano, guitar, the flute, and other wind instruments. In 1819 and 1820 he was having severe business difficulties, as is revealed in his correspondence with his London suppliers.