In rousing new historical drama Chevalier, the story of Joseph Bologne, often crudely referred to as ‘Black Mozart’, is finally given the spotlight it deserves
, traces Bologne from his origins on a slave plantation to his acquaintance with Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France before the revolution., who studied violin seven hours a day – was born in 1745 on the island of Guadeloupe. His parents were Georges de Bologne Saint-Georges, a wealthy French plantation owner, and an enslaved 16-year-old from Senegal, known as Nanon, who would eventually live in France as a free woman.
Bologne gained renown as an undefeated fencer and lauded as a dancer, equestrian and fashion trendsetter., the second US president, declared him “the most accomplished man in Europe in riding, shooting, fencing, dancing and music”. Bologne’s artistic accomplishments fell into four main areas: he worked in high-profile positions as an orchestral player, soloist and ensemble director; he was commissioned to write operas for Parisian theatres; he appeared at musical salons of the noble and wealthy; he published works for the flourishing French print market.
Indeed, for all his stardom, Bologne was not granted equal rights. While France’s Enlightenment philosophers opposed slavery, he knew well that the monarchy supported it.the Paris OpéraDoe says: “The Paris Opéra was the most prestigious French cultural institution at the time. This was a crown-supported company that produced tragic operas.
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