As in Chevalier de Saint-Georges
This is a follow-up to my last essay regarding the parallels between Les Misérables and Chevalier. Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, was a great musician and composer.
Chevalier was also an excellent swordsman.
This is a short example of Chevalier’s fencing skills.
For all of Joseph Bologne’s virtues, Marie Antionette, Queen of France, knights him Chevalier de Saint-Georges.
That is the naissance of everyone referring to Joseph Bologne as Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Essentially, he was a Knight of the Order of Saint George. However, what is so special about St. George? Every Western and Middle Eastern society has its version of St. George. Whether we look at Europe, Africa, or the Middle East, religions and countries pay homage to St. George.
However, many myths about St. George resulted from the Crusades in the 11th and 13th centuries. When the Crusaders returned to Europe, they related stories they heard in the Middle East. That was the genesis of George’s greatness. Those stories morph together over the centuries.
The central narrative is that George came upon a small village somewhere that had been terrorized by a dragon. The villagers attempted to placate the dragon with a lamb sacrifice each day. That attempt to quench the hunger of the dragon failed. The ruler of the village decided to sacrifice a child instead of lambs. The leader would pick a child by a lottery. The first number picked happened to be the ruler’s daughter.
Enter George. He realized the situation and quickly told the villagers he would take on the dragon. Off rode George to joust with the dragon. By happened stance, George saw the vulnerability of the dragon and killed him with either a sword or a lance, depending upon the local legend.
The villagers annually had a feast and celebration to honor St. George in France on April 23rd. Many ethnic groups observe the same day. Interestingly, I went to see Chevalier at its opening on April 21st.
I finally discovered why Marie Antoinette knighted Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The legend surrounding St. George is merely a story. Chevalier was a real person doing good things for France.
Regardless of legend or fact, St. George should be a role model for each of us. How we will be remembered will be based on whether we emulate Chevalier de Saint-Georges.
These are violin concertos written byJoseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges.