Frank Cornelius La Forge (1877-1953), pianist, accompanist, teacher, composer and arranger was born in Rockford, Illinois to Cornelius and Gracie Taylor La Forge on October 22, 1877 (some sources say 1879). La Forge studied in Vienna with Leschetizky and later studied composition with Labor and Navaratil. He was known as an exceptional accompanist, touring with such notables as Mme. Gadski, Mme. Sembrich and Frances Alda. As a voice teacher he worked with Marian Anderson, Lawrence Tibbett and Richard Crooks among others and was sought after for his skilled advice.

La Forge had a studio on his father-in-law’s summer estate on the Saint Croix River, where opera proteges Lily Pons and Gladys Swarthout not only honed their vocal skills but also vacationed during the 1920s. In 1930, La Forge built his own home where he held many concerts.

Frank La Forge arranged and composed many songs. Among them To a Messenger, I Came with a Song, By the Lake, Like the Rosebud and Valse de Concert, to name a few. La Forge died in New York City while performing at the Musicians’ Club annual dinner and concert on May 5, 1953.