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Thursday, August 4, 2011

BAROQUE ORCHESTRA OF NEW JERSEY FEATURES WORK OF RARELY HEARD 18th CENTURY AFRO-FRENCH COMPOSER

RedRoseFlareL’AMANTANONIME
Composed by Chevalier de Saint-George
Performed by The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey
Directed by Robert W. Butts

WHEN: Sunday, August 14, 3 PM
WHERE: Dolan Hall, College of Saint Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road, Morristown
TICKETS: $35, Adults; $25, Seniors; and $5, Students under 21 with ID. Passes for all events of the Summer Festival are $70.
For complete information about the concert or any of the Summer Festival events call 973.366.8922 or visit the Orchestra’s website, www.baroqueorchestra.org.

The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, the state’s most dynamic orchestra, will feature the work of a rarely heard 18th century Afro-French composer, Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-George, affectionately known as “the Black Mozart,” at its August 14th concert, part of a weeklong Summer Music Festival, which runs from August 14-21 and includes chamber music, free keyboard recitals and culminates with Mozart’s thrilling opera, Don Giovanni on August 21.

Born in 1745 on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe to a former slave and a white French plantation owner, the Chevalier was raised mostly in Paris where he received an elite education. He was one of the most remarkable figures of the 18th century. While still a young man, he achieved an outstanding reputation, not only as a classical composer but also as a violin virtuoso, the best swordsman in France, and a lover, often referred to as “Don Juan Noir.”

He was in line to become head of the Paris Opera House, but racism stood in his way and prevented him from achieving the highest musical post in France. Instead, Saint-George became the conductor of Le Concert des Amateurs in 1773, considered by some to be the best orchestra in Paris. In that post, he went on to conduct music for Marie Antoinette at Versailles. Saint-George wrote numerous symphonies and at least five operas.

The concert features pianist Vincent Ip, winner of the 2011 Pearl and Julius Young Rising Stars Music Competition. 

OTHER FESTIVAL EVENTS (hold down Control key and click on title for more information):

August 15, 2011, 12:15 PM
Lunchtime Keyboard Recitals
Grace Church, 4 Madison Ave., Madison
ADMISSION: Free

August 19, 2011, 7:30 PM
An Evening of Great Chamber Music
Grace Church, 4 Madison Ave., Madison
TICKETS: Adults: $20, Seniors: $15, Students (under 22, with ID): $5

August 17 2011, 7:30 PM
I Want A Hero
Discussion by Jabez van Clef
Grace Church, 4 Madison Ave., Madison
ADMISSION: Free

August 20, 2011, 7:30 PM
Gesualdo: A Music Drama
Grace Church Parish Hall
TICKETS: Adults: $20, Seniors: $15, Students (under 22, with ID): $5

August 21, 2011, 3 PM
Don Giovanni
Dolan Hall, College of Saint Elizabeth
TICKETS: Adults: $35, Seniors: $25, Students (under 22,, with ID): $5