Charles-Amador Martin

Charles-Amador Martin (7 March 1648 – 19 June 1711) was a priest, singer and composer of sacred music in New France. He was the second priest to be ordained in what is now Canada,[1][2] the first being Germain Morin. He spent most of his priesthood in or near Quebec City, where he became known for his participation in church services as a musician.

Early life

Martin was born in Quebec, the son of Abraham Martin, a river pilot in New France, and Marguerite Langlois.[1][3] He attended Jesuit College and trained as a priest at the Séminaire de Québec at a young age.[4][5]

Career

Martin was ordained by Bishop Laval in March 1671. His first posting was at Beauport in 1672.[6]

Martin assisted with elections at the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec in 1673. He was a member of the Seminary of Foreign Missions at Quebec,[1][7] where he taught for a number of years and also acted as bursar for a period. His singing ability is mentioned by Father Jérôme Lalemant at one point in his career.

He was later a Canon of the Quebec Cathedral,[1] where he was commissioned by Bishop François de Laval to raise the musical quality of the religious ceremonies.[8]

A number of musical compositions that have been attributed to Father Martin, including the first preserved Canadian musical composition, "Prose de Sacrae Familliae"; research has not found conclusive evidence that he is the composer.[9][10]

See also

References
  1. Sir James MacPherson Le Moine. Quebec, Past and Present: A History of Quebec, 1608-1876. A. Coté & c,̊; 1876. p. 21–.
  2. Willy Amtmann. Music in Canada, 1600-1800. Habitex Books; 1975. p. 142, 290.
  3. Jean B. A. Ferland. 1534–1663. De Gruyter; 5 November 2018. ISBN 978-3-11-141389-1 p. 202.
  4. Kallmann, Helmut (16 December 2013). "Charles-Amador Martin". The Canadian Encyclopedia (online ed.). Historica Canada.
  5. Dix. Les Cahiers des Dix. 1969. p. 16, 30.
  6. Jean Langevin. Notes sur les archives de Notre-Dame de Beauport. St. Michel et Darveau; 1860. p. 11.
  7. Sessional Papers. C. H. Parmelee; 1906. p. 331.
  8. Daniel Mendoza de Arce. Music in North America and the West Indies from the Discovery to 1850: A Historical Survey. Scarecrow Press; 2006. ISBN 978-0-8108-5252-5. p. 9.
  9. Elaine Keillor. Music in Canada: Capturing Landscape and Diversity. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP; 18 March 2008. ISBN 978-0-7735-3391-2. p. 66.
  10. National Library News. Vol. Volumes 18-19. National Library of Canada; 1986.


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