The Chevalier de Saint-George: Musical Creativity & Equality

Description
Have you heard of the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, one of the first classical composers of African heritage to attain widespread acclaim in European music? Take a minute to get the scoop!

Fun Fact
In early 1776, the financially troubled Paris Opéra considered Chevalier de Saint-Georges as its new director. Despite his merit as the creator of the first disciplined French orchestra, opposition led to Antoine Dauvergne being appointed instead. It is likely this was fuelled by racial bias.
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About Steven, Host
Steven is a Canadian composer & actor living in Toronto. Through his music, he creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his music website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers.
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Transcript

The Chevalier de Saint-Georges was a French violinist, conductor, composer and soldier and considered to be one of the first classical composers of African heritage to attain widespread acclaim in European music. 

He composed an array of violin concertos, string quartets, sinfonia concertantes, violin duets, sonatas, two symphonies and an assortment of stage works, notably opéra comique.

Sent to France at seven, his brilliance extended beyond formal education to fencing, athleticism, and dance, earning him a role as a royal guard.

As the conductor of Le Concert des Amateurs, his musical journey hit a dissonant note at the Paris Opera, where racial bias derailed his path. Undeterred, he composed operas and later joined the National Guard during the French Revolution. Saint-Georges' legacy endures in the recent 2022 movie “Chevalier” which captures the true spirit of a resilient maestro.