Article

Rosario Forget

Published Online June 24, 2007

Last Edited December 16, 2013

Rosario Forget. Violin maker, b Montreal 10 Jan 1893, d there 14 Aug 1983. During the summer of 1905 he worked as a messenger boy for Télesphore-Octave Dionne, a Montreal violin maker. Three years later, having completed his primary education, he joined the firm as an apprentice.

Forget, Rosario

Rosario Forget. Violin maker, b Montreal 10 Jan 1893, d there 14 Aug 1983. During the summer of 1905 he worked as a messenger boy for Télesphore-Octave Dionne, a Montreal violin maker. Three years later, having completed his primary education, he joined the firm as an apprentice. Dionne thought him a serious and gifted worker and decided to train him to take over the business. In 1920, after his employer's death, Forget acquired the workshop. Skilfully constructed, Forget's violins are based on the Stradivarius model and use European woods known to be reliable in the production of fine sound. He made about 30 which he sold to students and to accomplished violinists.

Forget also made a cello from Canadian wood. The cello belonged to his son Raymond, a cellist, bass player, and violin maker, who for many years was a member of the instrumental ensemble of the popular CBC radio program 'Les Joyeux Troubadours'; Raymond also sang folksongs on the program. Following Raymond's death (at Lanoraie, near Joliette, Que, 6 Aug 1984), his son Jean-Marc acquired his workshop.