A Look Back... Odette de Foras
In the summer of 1922, High River was represented on the world stage. That summer, young Odette de Foras of High River would perform at the Covent Garden Opera House in London, England to an awe struck crowd.
Born in France in 1901, Odette de Foras was the daughter of a French Count by the name of Barle de Foras. In the early twentieth century, many French aristocratic families had made their way to Canada, hoping to turn their fortunes around. Such was the case of the de Foras family. The Comte had arrived two years before his family, hoping to secure farmland in the Foothills. He had spent that time attempting to grow sugar beets west of High River. The de Foras family, which included ten children, made the journey to Canada in 1906 in order to join their father. Although the Count's farming endeavor would never come to fruition, the family would remain in the High River area. They would become an integral part of the community, helping start High River’s first Catholic Church, St. Francis de Sales.
Odette signing at the wedding of Roy and Lenore McLean, c. 1950.
Odette was a naturally gifted singer and was not destined to remain in High River for long. In 1916, she was granted a scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London. Unfortunately, the First World War would bar her from attending the school until 1919. That year, funds given to Odette from Senator Patrick Burns allowed the young girl and her mother to travel to London to pursue this opportunity. Throughout the following years, Odette would perform for a variety of audiences. One of these included a concert for King George and Queen Mary of Great Britain. Despite these high caliber performances and attendees, Odette never forgot High River. On her visits home, she would always make sure to squeeze in a concert or two for her High River friends.
Although Odette would live in Europe for the next ten years, she never got over her homesickness for her home in High River. She would eventually return to High River in 1936 and resided at the de Foras farm on River Road. In the late 1930’s Odette planned a second tour of Europe. Unfortunately, war would again dash her plans. The start of the Second World War would halt any idea of a European tour. Ultimately, Odette would never perform in Europe again.
In 1958, a fire would destroy the small de Foras farmhouse, leaving Odette with only the clothes on her back. Despite this tragedy, she would return to the stage the following year, performing at the Southern Jubilee Auditorium. This performance would earn her a standing ovation from the 1,200 audience members.
Odette would pass away on January 2nd, 1977. She had spent New Years Eve doing what she loved most, spending time with friends and performing an impromptu concert for them.
Cabin on former de Foras property, off River Road, n.d.
Young Odette, c.1920