The following is a repository of pertinent information I’ve found on Joseph Bologne that may be of interest to my subscribers, especially since there will be an event inspired by the legend of the Chevalier de Saint-Georges in October of 2024. I compiled this post because, in the words of the writer of the recent film:
“How were all of his accomplishments—master equestrian, master fencer, master violinist, master composer, leading an all-Black regimen during the French Revolution, hanging out in Versailles with Marie Antoinette—real?”
Stefani Robinson
Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, was an extraordinarily accomplished man in the France of Marie Antoinette’s time. He was a scholar, a fencer, a virtuoso violinist and a famous and sought-after composer who wrote string quartets, symphonies and operas. His influence was significant, but erased from history books because Bologne was also Black, born in 1745 in the French colony of Guadeloupe to a French plantation owner, the married Georges de Bologne Saint-Georges, and an enslaved Senegalese teenager called Nanon. Bologne is considered the first composer of color to achieve prominence in the European classical scene.
At the height of his celebrity and renown in France, Bologne put his name forth to lead the Royal Academy of Music at the Paris Opera. Though qualified for the prestigious post, his appointment was blocked.
He had powerful friends, made a Gendarme du roi of King Louis XVI in Versailles and a chevalier (knight), securing a place as a musician in the court of Marie Antoinette, and earning the admiration of US President John Adams, who once called him “the most accomplished man in Europe.”
And yet, history better remembers his White contemporaries.
Bologne’s birth to a noble father shielded him from some — but not all — of the prejudice of his time. Slavery was legal in France until 1794, and “Le Code Noir,” an edict governing virtually every part of an enslaved person’s life, also engendered the discrimination of free people of color. Three years after Bologne’s death in 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte reestablished slavery in France and many of Joseph Bologne’s works were destroyed.
Bologne was known during his time even across the Atlantic Ocean by our founding fathers.
[Arthur] Lee gave Us an Account of St. George at Paris, a Molatto Man, Son of a former Governor of Guadaloupe, by a Negro Woman. He has a sister married to a Farmer General. He is the most accomplished Man in Europe in Riding, Running, Shooting, Fencing, Dancing, Musick. He will hit the Button, any Button on the Coat or Waistcoat of the greatest Masters. He will hit a Crown Piece in the Air with a Pistoll Ball.
John Adams – written on 17 May 1779 in his diary (with some errors, as Bologne wasn’t a governor’s son)
Arthur Lee, who raved to John Adams about Bologne, was a physician and opponent of slavery in colonial Virginia in North America who served as an American diplomat who helped negotiate and signed the 1778 Treaty of Alliance with France.
Bologne was a man of firsts: the first Black conductor of Paris’ renowned orchestra Le Concert Olympique, and among the first Black men to lead a regiment in the French army.
Chevalier de Saint-Georges wielded the foil, the bow and made music with equal skill. He also served as a colonel of the Légion St.-Georges, the first all-Black regiment in Europe (during the French Revolution). In 2023, his life is being portrayed on the movie screen and the world is rediscovering this champion sword fighter, a virtuoso musician, and a conductor of the leading symphony orchestra in 18th-Century Paris.
Classical music has a long and detailed history, which regularly includes works by some of the greatest composers ever to have lived, from Bach to Beethoven, Mozart to Mahler. There are many great composers, however, who are unfairly left out of the history books despite their valuable and important contributions to classical music. Now, we are finally learning about Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799).
Bologne is also one of the 40 composers featured in The RBP Foundation Coloring Book of Black Composers. Here is his drawing and bio from the book (click here to download the PDF).
TIMELINE
- 1712-1830 – Georgian Era: Georges reigned in Great Britain during this timeframe. English term used most commonly to refer to a style of eighteenth century architecture, clothing, and as a synonym for “18th C British”.
- 1745 – Joseph Bologne born in Baillif, Guadeloupe on Dec 25
- 1770 – Bologne’s first documented compositions
- 1773 – Bologne becomes director of Le Concert des Amateurs.
- 1776 – Proposal to appoint Bologne as director of Paris Opera blocked
- 1785 – Philippe, duc d’Orléans becomes Bologne’s patron
- 1787 to 1789 – Bologne works to bring the abolitionist movement to France
- 1789 – French Revolution begins
- 1794 – Abolition of slavery throughout all territories of the French Republic
- 1795-1799 – Directoire Era: French term for this period, especially in France (which was ruled by a directorate of five, and then three, men).
- 1799 – Joseph Bologne dies in Paris
FALL 2024 EVENT
Costumers of Color is inviting BIPOC and anti-racists to come to Seattle and party like it’s 1799! This weekend event is your chance pay homage and celebrate the excellence/ resilience of people of color (POC) from the past while participating in 18th-century activities and wearing Georgian/Directoire clothing. The weekend will be filled with informative demonstrations, lectures, delicious food, historical games, Joseph Bologne’s music, dancing, and lively conversation. All attempts and interpretations of 18th Century costume are welcome, from exacting historically plausible dress to inspired afro-futurist designs!
- Friday – Dinner (6pm-9pm)
- Saturday – Afternoon Lectures & Demonstrations (1-3pm)
- Saturday – Evening Salon (7-11pm)
More information coming soon. All event info will be posted on this page. If you are interested in attending please fill out this INTEREST FORM so we can collect preferences and needs information to plan the most inclusive event possible.
SOURCES
Banat, Gabriel. The Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Virtuoso of the Sword and the Bow. (2006)
Bardin, Pierre. Joseph de Saint-George, Le Chevalier Noir. (2006)
Barton Pine, Rachel. “The Real History and Works of Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges. From https://www.violinist.com/blog/RachelBartonPine/20235/29619/
Black Girl Nerds https://blackgirlnerds.com/chevalier-de-saint-georges-the-real-black-mozart-is-adapted-into-a-motion-picture/
BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05wdsnl
Chevalier Playlist of Joseph Bologne’s music on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/31aJDs8TUiexIr82jfpVEI?go=1&sp_cid=845bf18d7b3359ca3c48f2054fa34027&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop
CNN https://www.cnn.com/style/article/chevalier-movie-joseph-bologne-composer-true-story-cec/index.html
Costumers of Color YouTube Playlist for Jospeh Bologne at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5BZKac6z6r_YIPLDOnbrA29fg9LkYq-9&si=oZ6zf5HWnV4tRbyB
Dirty, Sexy History https://dirtysexyhistory.com/2018/12/19/composer-abolitionist-hero-the-extraordinary-life-of-the-chevalier-de-saint-georges/
Duchen, Jessica. The Chevalier de Saint-Georges: The Man Who Got Under Mozart’s Skin. The Independent, February 7th, 2016.
Garnier-Panafieu, Michelle. Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges. AfriClassical.com, January 1st, 2016
ICAN https://icanradio.org/blog/five-black-composers-who-changed-history/
Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra https://oxphilorchestrablog.com/2020/10/09/sancho-saint-georges/
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One response to “Joseph Bologne: Chevalier de Saint-Georges”
[…] fencer, a virtuoso violinist and a famous and sought-after composer.” (This quote is from the Costumers of Color blog post about Joseph Bologne. Please go give it a read if you would like to learn more! Bologne’s achievements are […]
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