Emma Lajeunesse, known internationally as Mademoiselle (Miss) Albani and a photograph of St. Joseph's Church in Albany, NY. Emma Lajeunesse was born November 1, 1847 in Chambly, Quebec to musicians Joseph Lajeunesse and Mélina Mignault. Following Mélina's death in 1856, Joseph began work as music master at a convent in Montreal. The nuns there quickly became aware of Emma's musical talent. However, finding little support in Quebec, Joseph departed with his two daughters for upstate New York. Accounts differ on where they settled next. Some say Plattsburgh, others indicate Johnstown, and still others point to Saratoga Springs. What is certain is that by 1865, Emma and her family had made Albany their home where Emma joined the choir at St. Joseph's Church and obtained positions as first soprano, church organist, and choir director. It was parishioners there and Bishop McNierny who provided financial support for Emma to pursue her dream of studying music in Europe, and she departed in 1868. Shortly thereafter, she took on the stage name of Mademoiselle (or Miss) Albani, in part to have a more "European" (more sophisticated) name and in part to recognize her supporters from her adopted home. Eventually, she would go on to international fame, even singing at Windsor Castle at the invitation of Queen Victoria.
