'Chevalier': Here's everything you need to know about ‘The God of Arms’ Joseph Bologne
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: There are quite a few historical biographical films that make you wonder why you did not know this historical figure before. 'Chevalier,' a historical biographical film, is based on Joseph Bologne, known as Chevalier de Saint-Georges.
'Chevalier,' directed by Stephen Williams and based on a screenplay by Stefani Robinson, is based on Georges de Bologne de Saint-Georges, the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, who experiences an unlikely rise in French society as a celebrated violinist, composer, and fencer, ending with an ill-fated love affair and a run-in with Marie Antoinette and her court. In the film, actor Kevin Harrison Jr plays Joseph Bologne, but fans wonder what the real Joseph Bologne, also known as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, was and how accurate the on-screen portrayal of the historical figure was.
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Chevalier de Saint-Georges dubbed as ‘The God of Arms’
In 1745, Joseph Bologne was born to Georges de Bologne de Saint- Georges, a nobleman and politician, and Anne Nanon, a sixteen-year-old Senegalese slave. Georges moved Joseph and Anne to France, where Joseph was able to enroll in the Academie royale polytechnique des armes et de l'equitation, where he succeeded at fencing and horseback riding. He was regarded to be among Europe's finest swordsmen, only losing one severe fencing match throughout his career. His significant victory over Alexandre Picard, one of France's best fencers, drew a lot of attention to his skill while also shaping his beliefs. When confronted with disapproving enmity, as he was from time to time, his charisma and excellent demeanor quickly eliminated his opponent. Few were brave enough to challenge him to a duel, and when he was struck by a well-known violinist, he refused to fight because had far too much admiration for his opponent. Joseph was 17 when he became Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges. He was also an Officer of the King's Guard. By age 19, Saint-Georges was called 'The God of Arms.'
While in France, Joseph received a courtly musical education and excelled as a student; his ability and proficiency on the harpsichord and violin obtained his dedication from influential composers such as Antonio Lolli, who composed two concerti for him. He became a prolific composer after his father died and the French law forbade him from inheriting his father's social status because he was a bastard son and because of his skin color; he published two symphonies concertantes in 1776 and two more in 1778, in addition to three violin concerti and six string quartets in 1777. He also wrote three operas between 1777 and 1780, including 'The Anonymous Lover' and soon became to be known as the first well-known Black classical musician at the time.
Chevalier de Saint-Georges was offered the post of director of the Royal Academy of Music, Opera, but simply because of the color of his skin, three of the opera's leading ladies, including famous singers Sophie Arnould and Rosalie Levasseur, submitted a petition to none other than the Queen of France herself, Marie Antoinette, objecting to working for a Black man or 'mulatto.' Despite this, it is believed that Marie Antoinette may have later performed with Saint-Georges as his accompanist, and it is unknown how Joseph reacted to the petition.
Chevalier de Saint-Georges was one of the most celebrated men, even though he was mixed-race, during a time when servitude was endemic and slaves were considered as moveable objects', tortured, beaten up by the masters, and at times burdened to be starved and killed at will. Saint-Georges was at the pinnacle of his fame as a composer and performer in the years resulting in the revolution. Although La fille-garçon was well received, he had yet to achieve enormous popularity with theatrical work. His musical output was regular, but he was not an accomplished composer by the standards of the century.
The revolution dominated the final decade of Saint-Georges' life. Saint-Georges, who had been born to a slave mother, was conscious that each benefit he had enjoyed was solely due to his father's kindness and goodwill. He had more legal rights than a slave since he was mixed-race, but despite his name and fame, he would always reject the privileges of a white man. He died on June 12, 1779, after becoming aware that he was suffering from a bladder disease.
During the late 18th century, there were undoubtedly greater composers than Saint-Georges, but none with his outstanding range of talents, exotic persona, and fascinating personality.
How true to life is 'Chevalier' in comparison to Chevalier de Saint-Georges?
The film 'Chevalier' premiered on April 21, 2023, and is intended to accurately portray Joseph Bolonge's starring role in the film so that viewers can see and know who he was. While the film goes into his romantic relationship with Marie Josephine, the part about his older brother and his mother, when she was laid off to take care of his father, is left out.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Chevalier is that its main character has much in common with the historical figure he portrays. Harrison Jr not only picked up the fence for an earlier historical piece in 'Cyrano,' but also picked up the violin again for 'Chevalier.'
‘Chevalier’ is now playing in theaters.