Sous-fonds SF2 - Alfred Rosé

Alfred Eduard Emmerich Rosé was born in Vienna, Austria on December 11, 1902 to violinist Arnold Josef and Justine Ernestine Rosé. He was also known as Alfi and Alferle to his younger sister Alma Maria Rosé. Alfred received his education by attending the Doblinger Gymnasium in Vienna and by studying composition under Arnold Schoenberg. He held conducting positions at the Vienna State Opera, Burgtheater, and in various institutions in Berlin. In 1928, he toured America with the Rosé Quartet, including his father and uncle, as their pianist. On October 5, 1933, Alfred married Maria Caroline Schmutzer in Vienna. They lived together in Vienna until 1938. In 1938, Maria and Alfred fled Austria first to England then to the United States in order to avoid Nazi occupation. They arrived in New York and shortly after, moved to Cincinnati where both Alfred and Maria found work. In 1945 they immigrated to London, Ontario, Canada where Alfred had accepted a faculty position at the University of Western Ontario (UWO). While in London, Ontario, Alfred became a naturalized Canadian, taught at the university, and led many musical productions and musical therapy sessions throughout the city. In 1973, Alfred retired from UWO after 26 years of teaching. He passed away on May 7, 1975 in London, Ontario. One month later, Maria Rosé accepted a posthumous doctorate degree from UWO in honour of Alfred’s extensive work at the university.