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A True and Extraordinary Story

Joseph Bologne was born on a plantation to a French commoner and an African slave on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe in the year 1745. By the time he was 32, he was the one musician numbered among Marie Antoinette's closer acolytes as her music teacher. Eleven years Mozart's senior, he was a local celebrity both as a musician – violinist and composer – and swordsman. His name was Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges.

Joseph rose to prominence in 18th-century France; President John Adams praised him as "the most accomplished man in Europe." Saint-Georges would grow to become a master fencer, composer, conductor, and violinist. His compositions would go on to influence even Mozart's musical works. In addition, Saint-Georges led a regiment of thousands of black soldiers during the French Revolution.

 

His exploits and accomplishments were so extraordinary that Marie-Louise Labauret Dumas, the wife of Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, who served as Joseph's lieutenant, would regale her son with stories of his father and Saint-Georges. Later, the son, Alexander Dumas, would write The Count of Monte Cristo (an homage to his father), The Three Musketeers (where D'artangnan is drawn from Saint-Georges), and The Man in the Iron Mask. Ironically, Thomas-Alexander Dumas would betray Saint-Georges during the Revolution.

Friend of Joseph Hadyn, the Prince of Wales travel companion, composer, conductor, lover, and commander! Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, was a person whose history and extraordinary accomplishments were strangely forgotten.

Length: 130 Minutes

Music: 18 Songs

Cast Size: 21 (Some roles double)

 

Set Requirements: Single Multi-level Set. Lighting, props, and set pieces determine locations.

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