|
Black
Mozart from Guadeloupe celebrates comeback as film star
A
legend awakes: at the time of Mozart and Haydn, Joseph Boulogne was a
musical super-star in Paris – the first great black composer, an
exceptionally gifted foilsman and a feared army commander. Now the ‘Chevalier
de Saint Georges’, as was his title, is celebrating a comeback: in a
film about his life - a life full of secrets. By
Bernhard Grdseloff (C) 2005 |
 |
|
"His
mother was a black slave, and his father was her master – a white
great land owner from Basse Terre," reports Jean-Claude Halley,
chairman to the Black Mozart’s fan club in Guadeloupe. "In 1758
the 13-year-old went to Paris to study classical music. But not much is
really known about what happened before."
In
Paris the gifted mulatto embarks on a rapid career: Boulogne composes
sonatas, concertos and symphonies. Queen Marie Antoinette appoints him
as her music director, King Louis XVI makes him director of the Paris
Opera. At the same time the virtuoso violinist acquires a legendary
reputation as a fencing master. Halley: "He’s regarded as the
founder of modern foil technique which served as a model for the three
musketeers."
The
incredible speed of a foil sword combined with a hint of Creole
melancholy also characterises the Chevalier’s music. "There are
hardly any soloists capable of playing like that," says musician
Halley.
During
the French Revolution the composer leads an army of black soldiers. Yet
he falls out of favour with Napoleon, and many of his works are lost.
"There‘s no trace of his 10 operas," regrets Halley.
"Perhaps his revived popularity will make something turn up." |
Chevalier
de Saint-Georges: Composer & fencing master |
