About Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges: African-French composer, violinist and conductor, Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges won fame as France’s finest fencer before launching his career in classical music. Saint-Georges, who made music in the court of Marie Antoinette and went on to lead a regiment of black soldiers in the French Revolution, was considered a trailblazer during his time.
Born Joseph de Bologne, his father was George de Bologne de Saint-Georges, a member of a wealthy family who had lived in the French West Indies colony of Guadeloupe since 1645. He married Élisabeth Merican on September 8, 1739. By January of 1740, he had moved to a 250-acre plantation with 60 slaves. One of the slaves was a 17-year-old named Anne but was called Nanon. She was of African descent and was born on the island. George and Nanon began an intimate relationship shortly after his arrival. Their son Joseph de Bologne came into the world on Christmas Day, 1745. His African heritage made him ineligible for the nobility and its titles under French law. Full bio at this link above.
We featured this multi-faceted genius in Obscure Composers, volume 1.
We recommend Bologne's music to you on Spotify: OC CLASSICAL Boulogne -- Le chevalier de Saint-Georges : Concertos pour violon
Wednesday, February 05, 2020
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