Tremblay Concerts/Les Concerts Tremblay

Tremblay Concerts/Les Concerts Tremblay

Tremblay Concerts/Les Concerts Tremblay. Organized in Ottawa by Antonio Tremblay. The first subscription series (1929) presented Edward Johnson, the English Singers, Jacques Thibaud, Rachmaninoff, and Kathryn Meisle. The concerts continued with assistance from Tremblay's wife, Adine, and daughter Suzanne, until 1961, when Earl Crowe assumed control, retaining the Tremblay name. At Glebe Collegiate 1929-41, the Capitol Theatre (Ottawa) 1942-69, and the NAC 1970-1 Tremblay Concerts presented solo recitalists, orchestras and chamber groups, popular performers of the day, Broadway musicals, operas, and ballets. Artists ranged from Nellie Melba, Artur Rubinstein, and Fritz Kreisler to Victor Borge, Harry Belafonte, and Petula Clark. Crowe also presented two concerts each year by Canadian performers, including Teresa Stratas, Jon Vickers, Maureen Forrester and the NYO, and the first Ottawa appearances of the New York and Moscow Philharmonic Orchestras. Tremblay (b 1887?, d 1 Dec 1974), a translator for the federal government, had presented his first concert - by Galli-Curci at the Capitol Theatre - in 1921 as the agent for the Quebec impresario J.-Albert Gauvin. His wife, Adine Tremblay (b Gagnon, Quebec City 1892?, d Ottawa 5 Feb 1986) studied piano with her great uncle Gustave Gagnon and voice with Alice Dion-Parent, Berthe Roy, and (in Montreal) Jean Riddez. She appeared frequently in recital. Constance Lambert was among her pupils.

Shortly before Tremblay's death he and his wife were appointed (1974) Members of the Order of Canada, the first couple to be so honoured.