... in 1980: Sc #861 se-tenant pair: Canadian Musicians. Design: Huntley Brown.

Emma Albani, (1847-1930) (Sc 860) was born Marie Louise Emma Cécile Lajeunesse in Chambly, QC. Albani (Sc 860) trained in Italy and made her debut in the title role of La Sonnambula, one of the most difficult operas for sopranos. The locale chosen was Messina in Sicily, the opera fans there being so exacting that any success would clearly demonstrate her talent. Her success was instantaneous. Astonished by her impeccable musicianship and captivated by her glorious voice, the audience, according to a contemporary account, went into a frenzy of shouts, applause and curtain calls. Albani went on to greater and greater triumphs. The world's opera houses vied for her; famous composers created works for her; she sang in the royal courts of Europe and was a special favourite of Queen Victoria's. At her retirement, Albani was living in England where she died in 1930.

Healey Willan (1880-1968) Sc 861 was born in London, England and came to Canada in 1913 as the head of the Theory Department of the Toronto Conservatory of Music. He also taught at the University of Toronto. Willan said of himself, "I am a musician who rather likes to compose and I have a good time doing it..." He felt that composition was 98% perspiration and 2% inspiration and that "if a composer... knows his job he can set the telephone directory to music". Willan proved this himself when in 1922 he set the constitution of the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto to music. During his career Willan composed more than 300 pieces of music. His "Symphony No. 1", written in 1936, started a new era of musical productivity in Canada. He was the only nonresident of the United Kingdom to write an anthem for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. He also achieved fame for his work with choirs.