Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann


Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann was a German-Canadian composer of operettas, conductor and educator, and violinist best known for his operetta Leo, the Royal Cadet.

Early life

Telgmann was born in Mengeringhausen, Waldeck, Germany, to Jean Ferdinand Telgmann and Dorette Margaret Leonhardti. In 1863, at age 6 emigrated with his parents to Kingston, Ontario 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.
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" 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 was a violin teacher.
Telgmann died in Toronto in 1946 at the age of approximately 91. A music bursary established by his family in his memory and that of his daughter Mignon was subsequently established at Queen's University.

Works