‘The Anonymous Lover’ is a 1780 comedy by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, who is widely regarded as the first Black classical composer known to history.
Later this month, Opera Philadelphia will return to the Academy of Music for the show’s premiere. Ahead of this, VIVACE, Opera Philadelphia‘s community for Young Friends, in partnership with the Philadelphia Film Society, will offer a screening of the 2022 film ‘Chevalier.’
Inspired by the life of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the film explores the pioneering Black composer, musician, and fencer’s rise to fame and struggle to gain acceptance in the elite circles of 18th-century French society. The story includes a violin duel with Mozart, an ill-fated love affair, and a falling out with Marie Antoinette and her court. The screening is set for Thursday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Philadelphia Film Center.
Later this month, on Friday, Jan. 31, and again on Sunday, Feb. 2, Opera Philadelphia will premiere Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges’ last surviving work, ‘The Anonymous Lover.’
Described as “A frothy romp filled with beautiful arias, winning characters, and charming music that inspires us to root for true love,” ‘The Anonymous Lover’ focuses on the life of a young widow named Léontine as she begins to receive letters from a secret admirer. Léontine wrestles with whether she can love again, but the situation only becomes further complicated when it becomes apparent her secret admirer is really her friend Valcour.
To learn more about ‘Chevalier,’ ‘The Anonymous Lover,’ or to purchase tickets to either show, visit operaphila.org or filmadelphia.org
