Laurent Menager (1835–1902)
Laurent Menager, the son of a baker, was born on 10 January 1835 in Pfaffenthal. He was taught to play the violin, cello and piano by a musician stationed at the Prussian garrison. After completing secondary school at the Athénée de Luxembourg, he enrolled at the Cologne Conservatory. On his return to Luxembourg, Menager taught music at the École de Musique de la Ville de Luxembourg until its closure in 1882. It was at that time that he developed a close friendship with Michel Lentz and Edmond de la Fontaine, whose words he would later set to music. In 1857, Laurent Menager founded the Sang a Klang men's choir and was one of the co-founders of the Allgemeiner Musikerverein (now the UGDA). From 1861, he was organist at the Saint Matthew's Church in Pfaffenthal. He directed the Chorale Sainte-Cécile, the Harmonie and the Geselleveräin. After 1882, he taught music at primary school and teacher-training college. From 1889 to 1902, he also taught at the Athénée de Luxembourg. Menager is considered a pioneer of vocal training in state schools. He produced cantatas, operettas, symphonies, chamber music, liturgical music and simple songs. His most popular works include "d’Margréitchen", "Ihr lieben Vöglein", the operetta "Den Här an d'Madame Tullepant" (words by Edmond de la Fontaine), "Déi schéinste Blumm", "Eng Tréin", "Am Gäertchen" and "Alma Redemptoris Mater".
Laurent Menager died on 7 February 1902 and, in 1905, his remains were transferred to a grave beneath the current monument. The monument was designed in the Art Nouveau style by Luxembourg architect Goerges Traus (1865–1941), with the bust by Luxembourg sculptor Jean Mich (1871–1919). The sculptures were created by Jean-Pierre Meyer (1864–1917), a marble mason from the Gare district. Meyer studied Fine Arts in Dijon and Nancy. A sign paying tribute to Menager was affixed to the grave when the former Rue d'Eich was renamed Rue Laurent Menager (1925).
