Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint-Georges

1739 - 1799

About

Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1739 -1799) born in Guadeloupe, French West Indies to a wealthy plantation owner and slave, is best known as an accomplished violinist, conductor, and one of the first black composers to make an important contribution to music in the European tradition. He began his musical studies in Paris, studying with Jean-Marie Leclair and Francois Gossec during the 1760’s. In 1773, Gossec ascended to director of Concert Spirituel and gave Saint-George control of the Orchestra des amateur. Under this new leadership, the Orchestra des amateur gained notoriety as the best orchestra in the Paris. During this decade, Saint-George composed music for violin, small ensemble, chamber, and orchestra before was invited to conduct the L’Orchestre de la loge olympique and eventually become the Director of the Academie Royal de Musique (eventually the Paris opera). Though he invitation for the Academie Royal was withdrawn due to his racial background, he was inspired to compose various vocal works and comic operas.  Despite his importance to the history of Black composers, Saint-George’s fame is often rooted in his skills as a fencer and his involvement in the French Revolution.

Related Information

Biographies of Black Composers and Songwriters

Works by Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint-Georges