A contemporary of Mozart is to be celebrated with a concert by the Hope Metropolitan Orchestra in Liverpool as part of Black History Month
Mozart was knighted (made a Chevalier) by the Pope when he was only 14; as a child he was famous throughout Europe and has, for two centuries, been recognised as one of the greatest musical geniuses.
His contemporary, the Black composer Joseph Bologne, was also very well known at the time, especially in France where he was a favourite of Queen Marie Antoinette. The Queen adored his music and sang in several of his pieces. Curiously, when she and Mozart were children he is supposed to have shocked Viennese high society by reportedly giving her a big, though innocent, kiss.
As Mozart’s star rose, Bologne’s dimmed. Although ennobled, he was very closely associated with the French Court and when that was swept away by the Revolution, his title was not an advantage. He was then largely forgotten until the 21st century.
In recent years however, a film was made about him and his music is currently being much performed and recorded.
Neil Campbell from The Capstone Theatre, said: “There is only one Mozart but it is exciting that Bologne is being re-discovered and acknowledged as a significant talent. That both composers are featured side-by-side makes this a particularly revealing evening.”
Hope Metropolitan Orchestra: The Two Chevaliers will be performed on 26th October 2024 in The Great Hall at Liverpool Hope Creative Campus. The show is also a memorial tribute to Liverpool Hope University’s Mark Julius.
Tickets are available now via Ticket Quarter.