On April 21, two classical music-driven films are set to open in US theaters. “Chevalier” is based on the life of composer Joseph Bologne will be released by Searchlight Pictures while “Carmen,” which is a complete re-imagining of the opera that uses “selected lyrics” from the opera’s libretto sung in the original French by a choir as background, will be {…}
Photo: Bob-Estremera, Bonnie Perkinson, & Tania Baricklo The name and reputation of the revolutionary Classical composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges were once nearly forgotten. Through the work of Los Angeles Opera Music Director James Conlon, Marlon Daniel founder of the Saint-Georges International Music Festival, and stage director Maria Todaro, Bologne is returning to the spotlight. Below these individuals discuss {…}
Sony Music has released the newest episode of “They Did That,” featuring conductor and scholar Marlon Daniel. The episode comes following the new Disney/Searchlight movie “Chevalier,” based on the life of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a Black composer who would influence a number of pivotal figures such as Mozart, Haydn, Gossec, and others within France’s Age of Enlightenment. The {…}
Photo Credit: Tania Barricklo Multi-talented opera director, fight choreographer, composer, singer, and conductor Maria Todaro spoke with OperaWire about revising the recent productions of “The Anonymous Lover” and her ‘love affair’ with the composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. In 2022 Todaro staged “The Anonymous Lover” for Minnesota Opera. Paying homage to Bologne, she set the opera in 18th century {…}
Glyndebourne has announced a series of holiday performances. First up will be performances of Mozart’s Requiem and arias by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The first part of the concert, which will spotlight Bologne and his opera “The Anonymous Lover,” will feature writer and director Simone Ibbett-Brown as she interweaves stories from the composer’s life. In the second half of {…}
The Atlanta Opera will present “The Anonymous Lover” as part of its Discoveries Series this March. The production of the Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges work, will be showcased in partnership with Morehouse College. This represents the first-ever production of an opera by a Black composer by The Atlanta Opera. Performances open on March 31 at the Ray Charles Performing {…}
“Chevalier” is set to make its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film directed by Stephen Williams is a historical drama about Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, considered one of the great composers of his time. The film turns the spotlight on the Black artist whose legacy has been woefully obscured. The movie, which is set to be {…}
Haymarket Opera Company and classical music label Cedille Records have partnered to produce the first-ever recording of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George’s “L’Amant Anonyme.” Haymarket Opera recently presented a new production of “L’Amant Anonyme” on June 17 -19, 2022 at Jarvis Opera Hall in Chicago, Illinois. The production starred Nicole Cabell, Geoffrey Agpalo, Erica Schuller, Michael St. Peter, David Govertsen, {…}
Haymarket Opera is set to present Joseph Bologne’s “L’Amant Anonyme” starting on June 17, 2022. The company will present a full staging of the opera with a cast starring Nicole Cabell, Geoffrey Agpalo, David Govertsen, Erica Schuller, Michael St. Peter, and Nathalie Colas.The performance will also feature the Haymarket Opera Ballet. According to Haymarket Opera general director and creative producer {…}
The Minnesota Opera is set to return to the Ordway stage on Feb. 5, 2022 to present Joseph Boulogne’s “The Anonymous Lover.” The opera will star Symone Harcum as Léontine, Carlos Santelli as Valcour, Aaron Keeney as Ophémon, Zoie Reams as Dorothée, Leah Brzyski as Jeannette, and Jose Leppek as Colin. Cristóbal Franklin will conduct a production directed by María {…}
On Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 the Los Angeles Opera gave the company premiere of Joseph Bologne’s “L’Amant Anonyme.” As the opera world in the United States reckons with racial inequity throughout the industry (I can’t really speak for how European companies are approaching these challenges or if they are at all), Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges has become a seminal {…}