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Duquette, Jean A.
Jean (or John) A. (Alfred) Duquette. Violinist, violist, teacher, b Oswego, NY, 15 Mar 1853, d Montreal 10 May 1902. Arriving in Montreal ca 1865, he studied violin 1865-71 with Jules Hone. He spent the next two years at the Boston Conservatory, where he obtained a diploma. After teaching violin and piano 1873-80 at St Joseph College in Ottawa he taught 1880-1 in New York before returning to Montreal, where he gave lessons in violin, mandolin, and accompaniment, both privately and in several institutions. Albert Chamberland and Camille Couture were among his pupils. Duquette was first violin in a string quartet formed in 1890 with Isaac Silverstone (violin), Cathcart Wallace, (viola), and Louis Charbonneau (cello). He was one of the founders of the Couture MSO, playing as a member of the viola section, and serving as president 1894-6. He also served as president of the Montreal Musical Union. He participated in chamber music concerts 1899-1901, at His Majesty's Theatre and Karn Hall, as a member of a quartet with Otto Zimmermann, Herbert Spencer, and Charbonneau. On 26 Jun 1878 he married the pianist and singer Cordélia Lavallée, sister of Calixa Lavallée. Their daughter Blanche, a pianist, married the critic Gustave Comte in 1900.
See also Ellsworth Duquette (his brother) and Raoul Duquette (his son).
