Professor of French and French Studies (University of the South) JULIAN LEDFORD brings to life the historical Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George who is dramatized in the film CHEVALIER by Kelvin Harrison Junior in the title role. CHEVALIER highlights Joseph Bologne’s improbable rise in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer, horseman, and fencer. Saint-George is bestowed the title of Chevalier by the French Royal Court and is a favorite of Marie Antoinette Ledford shines the light on the many accomplishments and provides the social and cultural context in which Chevalier de Saint-George was acclaimed, including his transcendence of France’s racial codes in the 18th century.

Julian Ledford, Assistant Professor of French and French Studies at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Professor Ledford specializes in early-modern French and Francophone literature with a particular focus on Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de Saint-George, and 18th-century women writers' contributions to discussions on masculinities. 

Professor Ledford’s additional research interests include ethnic, racial, and sexual alterity in the early 18th century; French Baroque opera; and second language teaching and learning. Professor Ledford’s article  “Joseph Boulogne, the Chevalier de Saint-George and the Problem With Black Mozart” appeared in the Journal of Black Studies in 2019.  

TRANSCRIPT

TIMESTAMPS

0:08 - Intro to Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters (Podcast Intro)

1:27 - CHEVALIER Film synopsis

3:46 - Julian Ledford Introduction

4:45 - Discovering Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George

11:39 - The Problem with “Black Mozart”

18:22 - Saint-George’s Musical Contemporaries

23:32 - The Magnetism of Saint-George

29:08 - Break

29:39 - Africans and Black Codes in 18th Century France

35:33 - Saint-George and “Black Excellence”

41:58 - Saint-George’s Contributions to Classical Music

43:57 - Student Reactions to CHEVALIER

47:36 - “Ernestine,” Saint-George’s First Opera 

50:10 - Impact of the CHEVALIER Film

52: 55 - Lightning Round: Becoming Saint-George's Musicologist, Historian, Documenter

Jamaican Flag, Music Note, Compass

57:30 - Where to Watch CHEVALIER Online (CHEVALIER available for streaming June 2023)

57:57 - Connect with Historical Drama with The Boston Sisters

59:25 - Podcast Credits and Disclaimers

STAY ENGAGED with HISTORICAL DRAMA WITH THE BOSTON SISTERS

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