[PDF] Joseph Chevalier

Is Chevalier based on a true story?

Chevalier is based on the true story of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a revered French violinist whose career was hampered by racism. Joseph Bologne was born in 1745 in the French Antilles to Georges de Bologne Saint-Georges, a plantation owner, and his wife’s African father.

Who was the Chevalier and why was he so famous?

The Chevalier was a composer, violinist and conductor in the court of Marie Antoinette. He was good-looking, highly favoured by the Queen and something of a local celebrity. He was 11 years Mozart’s senior, and the young Austrian composer was supremely jealous of him – a jealousy fuelled, no doubt, by the racism of the time.

Who is Joseph Bologne in 'Chevalier' starring Kelvin Harrison Jr?

Joseph Bologne – also known as Chevalier de Saint-Georges – was a violin virtuoso, a skilled fencer and a favorite of Marie Antoinette. Now, he’s the subject of the historical drama “Chevalier,” which stars Kelvin Harrison Jr. as the Black French maestro whose extraordinary music is frequently compared to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

How did Joseph chevalier die?

Chevalier endured a tumultuous stint as part of the Revolutionary Army, culminating in dismissal and imprisonment. When he was 51, Chevalier became an orchestra director again and unsuccessfully tried to rejoin the army. Gangrene caused Joseph’s death two years later, in 1799.