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184 6 Theodore von La Hache Prolific Composer, Organist, Teacher, and Choral Conductor T heodore von La Hache was born in Dresden, Germany, in 1822 and received a thorough musical education there from Karl Gottlieb Reissinger .1 He came to New Orleans probably in 1842,2 but the first public record of him in the city was on February 19, 1846, when he married Maria Emilia Johnston in Saint Patrick’s Church (then a cathedral). His musical career in the city began about that time when he was first known as a successful professor (teacher).3 Also in 1846 he published his first important work, Fantasia and Variations on the Ethiopian Air “The Rose of Alabama,” Opus 2 (Philadelphia : A. Fiot, 1846). On February 3, 1847, he participated in a grand concert at Armory Hall given by the pianist Leopold de Meyer and the American violinist Joseph Burke.4 La Hache’s piano work Souvenir de Leop. de Meyer, Valse de Bravours, was probably composed at this time. His role in the concert was as piano accompanist for the singer Mme Emilie Hammarskold, who had minor billing,5 and when he played in public, it was usually in this role as accompanist. The following November 9 his composition Matainoros (grand pas redouble) was part of the third concert by the Howard Society and the Philharmonic Society of New Orleans at the Théâtre d’Orléans, in honor of “Mr. Lehmann, who has worked so hard to popularize music in the city.” The orchestra, consisting of fifty wind players, sandwiched La Hache’s piece between works of Auber and Donizetti.6 During the next twenty years La Hache’s name is found on the programs of many concerts. Sometimes he was only assisting other artists, such as on March 2, 1848, for the concert by Mr. Wall, the blind Irish Harper, at Armory Hall, which also featured a comedian. According to The Bee, “In announcing this [concert, Wall] also desires to observe that he will be assisted by the most distinguished Amateurs in Music, both Ladies and Gentlemen on the occasion. . . . Also, Professors Miller and La Hache, advantageously known to the community Theodore von La Hache: Composer, Organist, Teacher, Choral Conductor | 185 for their eminent musical attainments, in conjunction with several amateurs of both sexes, whose musical powers never fail to captivate and enthrall the congregated assemblage, gratuitously consented to throw their mite into the scale.”7 La Hache played the piano on Saturday, January 4, 1862, at a grand military concert, vocal and instrumental, at Odd Fellows’ Hall.8 The two-part program was mostly orchestral, performed by the orchestra of the Crescent Cadets, under M Hoeffner with marches and other pieces by well-known composers as well as by Hoeffner and La Hache themselves (the latter’s Grande Marche de la 5e Compagnie du Washington Artillery). In addition, Mme Dupeire (with unnamed associates) sang arias, duets, and trios by Rossini, La Hache, Verdi, and Donizetti apparently with La Hache at the piano. Many years later, on Friday, March 6, 1868, La Hache arranged a concert for the fifteen-year-old Josefina Filomeno, pianist and violinist.9 La Hache, Herman Braun, Dubos, and at least one amateur participated. La Hache was music director of Saint Patrick’s Church until 1855, at which time Gregorio Curto succeeded him, but he was still conducting the choir there in 1857. By that time, however, he had already been organist at Sainte Theresa’s Church since 1850, and remained in that position until his death. Thus, he made his career that of a church musician, for which he has been largely known ever since. He was both a director of church choirs and an organist, and as a result he wrote a large body of music for the church. While he earned his living as a church musician, piano teacher, and accompanist , after 1851 his fame locally rested much more on his conducting and his compositions.10 As a conductor he was primarily a leader of choirs, and apparently when orchestras were involved, one of the city’s orchestral conductors often did the actual conducting at the concert with La Hache preparing the chorus in advance. Seemingly La Hache began his public conducting career on Thursday, November 20, 1851, at a grand sacred concert at Lyceum Hall. Curto was the principal conductor, but the program was arranged by La Hache, which probably meant that he prepared the chorus. The program consisted mostly...

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