Intrigue at the opera: 1775 - 1780
Donald Macleod explores the life and work of the 18th-century composer Joseph Bologne, celebrated as the first composer of African descent to attain widespread acclaim in Europe.
Donald Macleod explores the life and work of a musician also remarkable for his sporting prowess. Joseph Bologne鈥檚 story throws a light on the political turbulence affecting France in the 18th century, and on the legacy of colonialism and slavery.
Bologne is celebrated as the first composer of African descent to attain widespread acclaim in Europe.
Today, we鈥檒l hear Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges make his first forays into opera, a passion of his which endured throughout his life. He joins the social circle of Marie Antoinette, and shares a roof with a twenty-something called Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Donald is joined by Olivette Otele, distinguished Professor of the Legacies and Memory of Slavery at SOAS, the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.
Violin Concerto in G major, Op 8, No 2 (3rd mvt, Rondeau)
Jean-Jacques Kantorow, violin
Bernard Thomas Chamber Orchestra
Bernard Thomas, conductor
Keyboard Sonata No 2 in A major with obbligato violin (1st mvt, Allegro moderato)
Jean-Jacques Kantorow, violin
Brigitte Haudebourg, harpsichord
Ernestine: Scena
Faye Robinson, soprano
London Symphony Orchestra
Paul Freeman, conductor
Symphonie Concertante in E flat, Op 13, No 1
大象传媒 Philharmonic Orchestra,
Zoe Beyers, Lisa Obert, violins
Ben Gernon, conductor
L鈥橝mant anonyme
Act I: Quinqu茅 (L茅ontine, Valcour, Oph茅mon, Jeannette, Colin)
Act II: R茅citative: Enfin une foule importune鈥� Amour deviens-moi propice (L茅ontine)
Geoffrey Agpalo, tenor (Valcour)
Nicole Cabell, soprano (L茅ontine)
David Govertsen, bass-baritone (Oph茅mon)
Erica Schuller, soprano (Jeanette)
Michael St. Peter, tenor (Colin)
Haymarket Opera Orchestra
Craig Trompeter, conductor
LeDuc: Symphony No 3 in E-flat major (1st mvt, Allegro vivace)
Bavarian Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra
Reinhard Goebel, director
Last on
Music Played
-
![]()
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Violin Concerto in G major, Op 8, No 2 (3rd mvt, Rondeau)
Performer: Jean鈥怞acques Kantorow. Orchestra: Bernard Thomas Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Bernard Thomas.- ARION.
-
![]()
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Keyboard Sonata No 2 in A major with Obbligato Violin (1st mvt)
Performer: Jean鈥怞acques Kantorow. Performer: Brigitte Haudebourg.- Arion: ARN55445.
- Arion.
- 1.
-
![]()
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Ernestine (Scena)
Singer: Faye Robinson. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Paul Freeman.- SONY CLASSICAL : 886447262702.
- SONY CLASSICAL.
- 8.
-
![]()
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Symphonie Concertante in E flat major, Op 13, No 1
Performer: Zo毛 Beyers. Performer: Midori Sugiyama. Orchestra: 大象传媒 Philharmonic. Conductor: Ben Gernon. -
![]()
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
L'Amant anonyme (Acts 1 & 2 excerpts)
Singer: Geoffrey Agpalo. Singer: Nicole Cabell. Singer: David Govertson. Singer: Erica Schuller. Singer: Michael St. Peter. Orchestra: Haymarket Opera Company. Conductor: Craig Trompeter.- CEDILLE.
-
![]()
Simon Leduc
Symphony No 3 in E flat major (1st mvt)
Orchestra: Bavarian Chamber Philharmonic. Conductor: Reinhard Goebel.- OEHMS CLASSICS.
Broadcast
- Wed 7 Aug 2024 16:00大象传媒 Radio 3
Vaughan Williams Today
Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.
Beethoven Unleashed 鈥� the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time 鈥� why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.