Mather Brown on Wikimedia

Today, few people, even those who consider themselves tuned into the world of classical music are familiar with Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George. Not only was Bologne a superstar violinist whose compositions inspired later works by Haydn and Mozart, but he was also the first classical composer of African descent to achieve fame in European music. The subject of a 2022 feature film, it's long past time for Bologne to step out of Mozart's shadow and be appreciated for his own merit.

Born in 1745 in the French colony of Guadeloupe to a white plantation-owning father and an enslaved mother of Senegalese descent, Bologne occupied an interesting space in 18th-century history as a biracial man. Not only was Bologne recognized as his father's legitimate son—a legality that many of similar backgrounds were not granted—but he was given the best possible education, along with every chance to succeed.

A Child Prodigy

After relocating to France, Bologne was enrolled in a series of private schools where he learned fencing, horseback riding, liberal arts, and, of course, music. While Bologne is best-known as a composer, his athletic abilities were equally impressive. Bologne excelled at skating, swimming, shooting, and dancing; he was considered a master swordsman while still in his teens. It wasn't for nothing that John Adams called him "the most accomplished man in Europe".

Alexandre-Auguste Robineau on WikimediaIn between duelling the greatest fencing masters of the age, Bologne mastered the violin. It came as quite a shock to Parisian society when Bologne began performing in orchestras. Playing as both an ensemble chair and soloist, Bologne's talent was dazzling, especially to female members of the audience.

However, Bologne wasn't content to play other people's music; he decided to write music of his own. Over the course of his all-too-brief career, Bologne composed violin concertos, symphonies, six operas, and numerous other works. He was integral in the development of the sinfonia concertante, an uniquely Parisian style which highlighted multiple soloists against a full orchestra. Not all of Bologne's music survives, unfortunately. Several compositions, including a children's opera were lost to time, perhaps being deliberately burned to erase his legacy.

Turbulent Times

While Bologne was directing operas and performing for Marie Antoinette, an undercurrent of resentment was simmering against him. There were those in his circle who believed he was taking opportunities from white musicians. An attempt was made on his life in 1779, and he was passed over for opportunities due to the belief the leading ladies of opera were too honorable and delicate to submit to his orders.

The last decade of Bologne's life was, like most of the country's, overtaken by the French Revolution. Abandoning his musical career, Bologne took up the sword once more, this time against enemies of the people. Bologne was one of the first members of the National Guard and was named colonel of the Free Legion of the Americans and the South, which was made entirely of free men of color (interestingly, another officer was Thomas Alexandre Dumas, father of The Count of Monte Cristo and Three Muskateers author Alexandre Dumas; it's possible that Bologne's exploits may have inspired the character of D'Artagnan).

As the Revolution reached a boiling point, Bologne was imprisoned multiple times with a trial or specific charges. Once released, Bologne was disillusioned by the military, which was involved in a civil war in Haiti. He returned to his music, founding a new orchestra. However, Bologne did not have much time to enjoy his new orchestra. He died in 1799 at the age of 53. At the time he was living in poverty; the cause of death was deemed to be a bladder infection.

One of the greatest composers in an era not struggling for compeition, Bologne's legacy was long forgotten and is only now getting the reappraisal it deserves.