Auguste Maurage

Auguste Maurage was born on 12 December 1874 in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode (Belgium). He studied at the Brussels Conservatory under Eugene Ysaye (violin) and Francois-Auguste Gevaert (composition). His main instrument was the violin, and contemporary newspapers described him as one of Ysaye’s finest students.
After completing his studies, Auguste Maurage toured France and the United States as a concert violinist. In 1904, he emigrated to Buenos Aires and later became a naturalized Argentine citizen. In Argentina, he changed his name to Augusto Maurage and also used the pseudonym “A. Guerama” for the publication of light music compositions. He continued touring as a violinist, often performing together with the pianist Carlos Marchal. In 1912, Maurage founded a conservatory in Buenos Aires, where he also taught violin.
Auguste Maurage died on 12 June 1925 in Buenos Aires (Argentina).

The catalogue of works by Auguste Maurage includes several operas (Bodas de Oro, Tupa, Amaryllis, La montana de las brujas, Le Chant du cygne), the operetta "Les Noces d’Or", orchestral works such as the ballet "Ultimo canto" - performed by Anna Pavlova and Alexandre Volinine - as well as chamber music and songs.

Les Cygnes

In my possession is the autograph manuscript of the orchestral work "Les Cygnes" by Auguste Maurage. The material includes a full-score working manuscript entitled "Les Cygnes" as well as several orchestral parts (flute, clarinet, harp, cello, and double bass). Three of these parts bear the different title "Le Cygne enchante". The work carries the subtitle "Adagio et Valse".
As the manuscripts are undated, it is uncertain when the work was composed. A connection with the opera "Le chant du cygne" seems likely, although I have not yet found any evidence to confirm this.