In the age of musical biographical drama films, rarely many opt to detail the lives of classical composers. Chevalier is different, as it tells the true story of the forgotten French-Caribbean composer Joseph Bologne.
Directed by Stephen Williams and written by Stefani Robinson, Chevalier details various aspects of Bologne’s life, including the racism he faced during his rise to fame in the 1700s.
The movie details much of the composer’s life, and his talent as a fencer, as well as a disagreement with Marie Antionette (played by Lucy Boynton) which leads to Chevalier (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) realizing the need for change.
Chevalier tells the true story of Joseph Bologne
Chevalier is a US biographical drama film based on the life of the titular French-Caribbean composer Joseph Bologne. The film depicts the rise and resurgence of Chevalier De Saint-Georges (Bologne), a talented violinist, and music composer who rose to fame during the late 1700s.
Born December 25, 1745, in the then-French colony of Guadeloupe, Joseph Bologne was taken to France at the age of 7. At age 13 he was educated as a gendarme to the King and received music lessons and studied fencing. There is no documentation found of Chevalier’s musical talents before 1764, when he performed two concertos. In 1869 he joined a new symphony orchestra, leading him to start composing in 1771.
Joseph then began rising to fame, receiving recognition for his talents as a violinist and composer.
However, he also fought actively against the racist regimes at the time. He participated in establishing the first all-black regiment in Europe, serving as a colonel of the Legion St. Georges.
He died on June 10, 1799, at age 53, suffering from gangrene.
Chevalier release date
Chevalier had its world premiere on September 11, 2022, at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film is scheduled for theatrical release in the US on April 21, 2023.
For UK audiences, Chevalier is set to hit the big screen a few weeks later, on June 9, 2023.
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“I remember the first time I got the script, I didn’t even hear about him”
In an interview with The A.V Club, the lead actor in Chevalier discussed what it was like preparing for such a huge role.
Kelvin Harrison Jr reflected on his time before production, and how he had never even heard of the great French composer before the film. “I mean, my dad’s a classical music teacher, and I’ve never heard of Joseph Bologne.” Chevalier plans to bring some well-deserved accreditation and attention to the forgotten musician.
The actor reflected on what he truly felt about the character.
“This guy was the best fencer in Paris. He was one of the most incredible, dynamic composers in France. And arguably better than Mozart. I said it!”
Playing the lead in a biographical movie is no easy task. “I had to learn how to play the violin and how to fence. And that took up most of my year.” Clearly, Kelvin Harrison Jr was beyond dedicated to the role when preparing for the character.
He claimed he would spend 4 to 6 hours a day practicing the violin with his father, 6 days a week. Harrison Jr continued to state he stook to this routine for 3 months.
“It was intense.”
Chevalier hits theatres on April 21, 2023, in the US.
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