His Sojourn in Europe and His Studies in Paris
(1921 - 1928)

In 1918, Claude Champagne wrote his first major work for symphony orchestra, entitled Hercule et Omphale.  Upon completion, he showed it to Rodolphe Mathieu, with whom he had studied harmony.  "He was greatly interested by it and mentioned it to Alfred Laliberté."
Claude Champagne, "Documentary Prepared by Andrée Desautels," Anthology of Canadian Music:  Claude Champagne.  Radio Canada International, ACM 30, 1988, p. 25.

Claude Champagne continues:
"That was what started my career as a composer, for he [Laliberté] decided that I should go to Europe.  He knew Rachmaninoff very well, and after a concert [by the pianist] he and I dined with Rachmaninoff, and he showed him my symphonic poem, after which Rachmaninoff urged me to go into composition .... So that with one thing and another, the fact is that Laliberté actually started me on my career as composer.  And it was his idea that I should go to Europe.  I should say that when I left Montreal I meant to leave for good.  I sold all my instruments and all my music because I was leaving the country, never intending to return.  I wanted to stay in France, because I had realized how much I had to learn, and I had to seek for it in the place where it was!"
Claude Champagne, "Documentary Prepared by Andrée Desautels," Anthology of Canadian Music:  Claude Champagne.  Radio Canada International, ACM 30, 1988, p. 25.

Claude Champagne on board the R.M.S. Corsican, leaving for Europe.
August 1921, photographer unknown.

Claude Champagne's student workbook in counterpoint, 1921.

Excerpts of a letter (transcribed by Mrs. Champagne) from André Gédalge (professor at the Conservatoire de musique et de déclamation de Paris) to the Honourable Louis Athanase David (Provincial Secretary, Quebec).  Mr. Gédalge requests that Claude Champagne receive a grant in order for him to be able to continue his musical studies in Paris.  July 27, 1923.

Mr. and Mrs. Claude Champagne's wedding card, 1922.
Claude Champagne married Jeanne Marchal, a native of Liège, whom he first met on board the ship en route to Europe in August of 1921.

Claude Champagne on his bicycle in Le Vésinet (main village in the region of Yvelines, borough of Saint-Germain-en-Laye).
1923, photographer unknown.

Mr. and Mrs. Claude Champagne in disguise.  Photograph taken in Le Vésinet.
March 3, 1924, photographer unknown.

Souvenir album from the Conservatoire de musique et de déclamation of Paris, 1924.

Claude Champagne (4th from the right) with his classmates in a counterpoint and fugue course given by André Gédalge.

Pencil sketch half-length portrait of Claude Champagne by Henri Letondal (1901-1955), April 13, 1927.

Mr. Letondal, at the time, reviewed concerts and variety shows for La Patrie (Montréal) and served 1926 - 1929 as that newspaper's correspondent in Paris.

Photographic half-length portrait of Raoul Laparra (1876-1943), Claude Champagne's teacher in composition and orchestration at the Conservatoire de musique et de déclamation of Paris.
n.d., photographer:  Apeda.