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.

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Joseph would rise to such prominence in 18th Century France to become praised by President John Adams 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 would be so extraordinary that Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, who served as his lieutenant, would regale his son with stories of Saint-Georges. As a result, Alexander Dumas would write The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Georges, a novel loosely based on Saint-Georges himself!

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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.

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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.