A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Lavigne, Antoine

LAVIGNE, Antoine Joseph, born at Besançon March 23, 1816, received his early musical education from his father, a musician in an infantry regiment. On Jan. 24, 1830, he was admitted a pupil of the Conservatoire at Paris, where he studied the oboe under Vogt, but was obliged to leave on May 3, 1835, on account of his father's regiment being ordered from Paris. He resumed his position on Oct. 17, 1836, and obtained the first prize in 1837. He was for several years principal oboe at the Theatre Italien at Paris. In 1841 he came to England, and appeared as oboe soloist at the Promenade Concerts at Drury Lane, and has now for some years been a member of Mr. Charles Halle's orchestra at Manchester. He addressed himself with great earnestness to applying to the oboe the system of keys which Boehm had contrived for the flute, and devoted several years to perfecting the instrument. This admirable player has great execution and feeling; but what he is most remarkable for is his power and length of breath, which by some secret known to himself enables him to give the longest phrases without breaking them.

[ W. H. H. ]