Gustave Labelle

Labelle, Gustave

Gustave Labelle. Cellist, teacher, composer, b St-Henri (Montreal) 1 Nov 1878, d Montreal 31 Mar 1929. He began his musical studies with his father, Charles, and then studied cello with Jean-Baptiste Dubois. He was a member of various theatre orchestras and of the Goulet MSO ca 1907, the Beethoven Trio 1907-10, and a cello quartet which he had organized.

Labelle taught 1907-22 at the McGill Conservatory, 1921-9 at the École de musique de Montréal, and for some years at the Institut Nazareth. Among his pupils were Gabriel Cusson, Raoul Duquette, Suzette Forgues, Yvette Lamontagne, Henri Letondal, and Brahm Sand. He composed a few works, including an Élégie for cello, which he performed at Windsor Hall 1 Oct 1903, 'Je vous salue, Marie,' which was published in La Lyre (May 1929), and some orchestral pieces. He wrote articles in periodicals, notably MusiCanada 1922-3.

See also Adrienne Labelle (his sister).