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(died: Quebec City ca. 1820)
Composer, Notary
Charles Voyer de Poligny D'Argenson was a notary in Quebec City in the late 18th century. In 1791, he composed two pieces, "Marche de Normandie and Royal Fusiliers" and "Arrival at Quebec", to celebrate a royal visit. Prince Augustus, who later became the Duke of Kent and Queen Victoria's father, arrived to command the Royal Fusiliers Regiment, which was stationed in Canada from 1791-1801. As noted by Mrs. Simcoe in 1792, this regiment was known for its dancing and musical abilities:
I gave a dance to forty people. The Prince was present - The Fusiliers are the best dancers, well dressed, and the best-looking dancers that I have ever saw. They are all musical and like dancing, and bestow as much money, as other regiments usually spend in wine, in giving balls and concerts, which makes them very popular in this place where dancing is so favourite an amusement. (Kallmann, 47).
These two short pieces, sometimes referred to as "Air doublet", seem to be the first secular works composed in Canada. At one point, credit for their creation was given to Frederic Henri Glackemeyer, however, a note at the bottom of the Marche de Normandie reads, Composed by Charles Voyer de Poligny D'Argenson, Notary of Quebec, who died there in 1820.
Another inscription states, Copied by Jouve, chief musician to the Duke of Kent.
In the 1920s it was discovered that the original manuscript was owned by Mme. Elmire C. Pourtier. On July 1, 1928, it was framed and presented to the Regiment. It now hangs in the Depot of the Royal Fusiliers in the Tower of London, in England. The Marche de Normandie became the official regimental slow march of the Royal Fusiliers.
Compositions available through Clifford Ford Publications:
Sources: