Movie: Chevalier
Contributed by School Board Member, Colleen McDonald
Last spring, I heard about Chevalier—a movie based on the true story of a black, classical violinist who lived in France during Mozart’s time. It left townbefore I could see it, but I Googled this forgotten musician and want to share some of what I learned:
Joseph Bologne -- the Chevalier de Saint-Georges-- lived from 1745 to 1799. He was born in Guadeloupe, an archipelago of France. His father was white and owned several sugar plantations; his mother was an African slave who worked for Joseph’s family. When Joseph was 7, his father sent him to boarding school in France.
Nothing’s known about Bologne’s early musical education. However, as a teen he progressed so rapidly in the art of fencing that, as a student, he won a match with a fencing master. This accomplishment led to an appointment as an officer among the king’s bodyguards, and the title of “Chevalier” (similar to being knighted).
Meanwhile, Bologne was apparently studying music-- when he was 24, concertgoers in Paris were amazed to see the famous “fencer” playing the violin in a brand new orchestra! Subsequently, he published several string quartets, performed as a soloist (including playing his own violin concertos), had violin works commissioned for him, was promoted to concert master of his orchestra, and even became the conductor of the well-regarded orchestra. Queen Marie Antoinette attended some of his public performances; Bologne also performed for and with the Queen in private concerts held at the palace. (Marie Antoinette played the piano!)
Bologne was later nominated to take over as music director at the Paris Opera. When singers protested that they would not take orders from “a mulatto,” the job fell through. Bologne went on to compose several operas and served with distinction as a commander in the French Revolution. He played his violin for his own pleasure all through his life. (He was also an accomplished dancer, swimmer, and ice skater!) Bologne died in Paris, of gangrene, at age 51.
Many of the manuscripts for Bologne’s compositions have survived. Bologne’s compositions also include symphonies and vocal music. Video recordings of his music are also available, including some fairly recent performances by Rachel Barton Pine. Marcos Balter, a Black composer and professor of musical composition, writes, “One would hope that someone of [Bologne’s] importance and relevance would not only now be ‘rediscovered’… The Black contribution to classical music has always been very robust… More often than not contributions by folks who are not from what is perceived as the Eurocentric legacy… tend to be minimized or sometimes completely erased from history.”
I still have not seen the movie (now available through Hulu. FYI: It is rated PG-13.) I’ve decided I’m more interested in the true story than a film whose script includes fiction to make it “better.” If you’re curious to learn more, I heartily recommend Pines’ article on The Real History and Works of Joseph Bologne, with links to videos and other resources, including some for kids:https://www.violinist.com/blog/RachelBartonPine/20235/29619/.