Composing Comic Opera

Presented by Donald Macleod.

Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges began life in 1745 as the illegitimate son of a Guadeloupe plantation owner and an African slave, going on to become one of the most fashionable people in Paris. Not only was he a composer and virtuosic violinist, but also a notable athlete, gaining much renown at fencing. His music teachers included Leclair and Gossec, and he would eventually take over conducting the Concert des Amateurs, an orchestra that frequently premiered his violin concertos with Saint-Georges as the soloist. The Concert des Amateurs went on to become one of the best orchestras in Europe under his direction. Saint-Georges also founded La Loge Olympique, which commissioned Haydn's Paris symphonies. His connections with royalty and the aristocracy would eventually lead him into trouble during the French Revolution. Although appointed Colonel of the Legion of Americans, he remained under suspicion and was eventually imprisoned for over a year. He ended his days in a Paris he hardly recognised, and died in 1799.

Saint-Georges and his teacher Gossec were amongst the first to compose string quartets in France. Saint-Georges printed his first set in 1773, and in this same year he also took over the direction of the Concerts des Amateurs. Under his leadership the orchestra grew in size, and gave the premiere performances of many of his works.

Saint-Georges' popularity had grown to such a pitch that Queen Marie-Antoinette supported his application for a significant post at the Paris Opera. Unfortunately a group of singers objected to his appointment due to their prejudice, and he was subsequently turned down. This didn't deter Saint-Georges from composing music for the stage, including his opera L'amant anonyme, The Anonymous Lover.

Romance: Par pitié daignés vous rendre
Luanda Siqueira, soprano
Florence Malgoire, violin
Olivier Baumont, harpsichord

String Quartet in F minor, Op 14 No 3 (1st mvt)
Apollon Quartet

Violin Concerto in D major, Op 4 No 1
Qian Zhou, violin
Toronto Camerata
Kevin Mallon, conductor

L'amant anonyme (ballet music - excerpts)
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra
Jeanne Lamon, director

Symphonie Concertante in G major, Op 13 No 1
Pilsen Radio Symphony Orchestra
František Preisler Jnr, conductor

Producer Luke Whitlock.