The Black Mozart Read online

  Odet Denys recounts or invents a curious occurrence between Saint-Georges and an English woman who did not seem at all to notice his color. They were in a little alcove and were exchanging intoxicating kisses, when she stopped and in a mournful cry, she said in English.

  It is not love, it is only passion; and then she continued in French saying 'non', but right away, with no transition, she squeezed him strongly against her, and, freed from the scruples the homage she had paid to purity, with all she let loose, abandoned herself in his arms in pronouncing these delirious words.7

  Since St.-Georges was a ladies man, I am sure many such incidents occurred, but this one was most likely invented. Nothing this intimate has ever been documented, so I pass this on as an invented anecdote.

  Saint-Georges was not only received by women, the men invited him to many parties and meetings. There were lavish parties and expensive dinners and such a gay life. Naturally, Saint-Georges was very generous by nature and cared very little for amassing a large sum of money, only enough to live the good life that he lived. Said Angelo:

  ---but the various talents of Saint-Georges were like a mine of gold he might have amassed considerable wealth, if he had united prudence to his other qualities.He was very liberal in money matters and indulged freely in all the pleasures which then made Paris such a delightful residence.8

  Thus Saint-Georges' trip might have been marvelous in one sense but he gained very little money. The truth is that the only money that Saint-Georges took back to Paris was 200 guineas that he won in a bet from the Prince of Wales that he could jump a very wide ditch in Richmond with his knees together, that is without taking a running start.

  While Saint-Georges was in London, he had an incident similar to the one he experienced earlier in Paris. The story was told that he was walking at night when suddenly before him a thief threatened with a pistol. With a stick he brought the man to his feet. He did the same for three other bandits who had come to help their comrade. Although left with several contusions, he continued calmly on his way home, where he was awaited to play the violin and to entertain the invited guests.

  Saint-Georges then left London with probably less money than he had brought. His sojourn had not been successful financially.

  He took back to Paris the English fashions of frockcoat, round hat, and boots "that dethroned forever the embroidered clothes and short pants." Saint-Georges had been a fashion setter before coming to England. He used to walk down the boulevards after theatrical presentations and young people surrounded him, followed him, and courted him. He became a fashionable man. It had been said that Saint-Georges was the forerunner of the English Beau Brummell.

  After one of Saint-Georges' fêtes, he wrote a letter that reveals again his generosity. He constantly gave expensive gifts, especially to men of arms and of music. Here is a copy of the letter that he wrote:

  Letter of M. de Saint-Georges to M. Teillogori, on the subject of what happened at the reception of M. Etienne, last Wednesday, March 11

  Paris, this 15th of March 1772

  I am indisposed, Sir; otherwise I would have had the occasion to see you and compliment you and tell you what a pleasure you have afforded me and to all the experts at the reception of M. Etienne. You have shown that manly confidence that one sees only in superior men. And in all you have done, one could see the great marksman. If you had won the prize, merit and talent would have been rewarded, but you are above all that. I beseech you, Sir, in the name of all connoisseurs to accept the sword I send you. It will be glorious for one to have placed it in the hands of the sincere attachment with which I have the honor of being, Monsieur,

  Your very humble servant, De Saint-George9

  Saint-Georges returned to Paris the summer of 1787 and resumed his musical career. The fruits of that labor have already been recounted.

  During Saint-Georges' most productive years musically, he was carrying many responsibilities as well as composing, he still found time to continue his social life. He frequented the salons and attended many parties. Now that he had added music to his well-established fame as a fencer and man-about-the-town, he was invited to more parties than he could attend.

  I have not said very much about Saint-Georges' other well-known qualities, that of a conversationalist and as an excellent dancer. These great men of sports and theatre loved to make good conversation at the salons and at the dinners and parties. Saint-Georges was considered a man of good ideas and of intelligent and witty words. It was known that he was not only a man who excelled in corporal exercises and at the violin but also a man who had ideas and could express himself very well. He had an infectious laugh that was imitated by people around him. A party was successful and more enjoyable when he was present.

  As a dancer, he excelled. Angelo junior told of a time having been entertained by him in Paris:

  ---returning to France, Chevalier pressed Mr. M'D----_____ and myself to dine with him at La Sablonières'. After an excellent dinner, bien servi, in the evening he introduced some of the first dancers, Madame Saunier, etc., of the orchestra (with their instruments), Chabran, Sulpeatro, and Florio, selected by him purposely for our amusement. All was gaitié à la Française, la danse et la musique, the toe and the elbow keeping motion, whilst the champagne and burgundy enlivened the scene. We were both well pleased with the politeness and attention of the maître de ballet.10

  He was in demand as a dancer and attended balls several times per week. He had a natural feeling for rhythm perhaps from his island culture and his natural grace, combined with excellent training. Since dancing was as much a part of French life as wine and sports, Saint-Georges would travel miles at great expense to be a part of these great balls. Unfortunately, in his forties, Saint-Georges broke an Achilles tendon that curtailed somewhat his dancing and even interfered with his speed in fencing.

  Towards the end of the year of 1789, Saint-Georges returned to London accompanying the new Duke of Orléans, the future Philippe-Égalité into exile. The Duke, while pretending to have new reforms to introduce into the French fashion, was actually engaging in politics. Saint-Georges was not aware of the Duke's true purpose.

  He was again received by His Royal Highness, the Duke. While the Duke of Orléans went his way, Saint-Georges was once again received in the aristocratic circles. It is not exactly clear how long he stayed in London this time, but he did stay much longer than before, since he had a well-furnished apartment. Angelo Junior presents evidence of this apartment in relating this story:

  For some years, I had a fencing room at the Opera-House Haymarket, over the entrance of the pit door. On the evening of June 17, 1789, about eight o'clock, when in Berkeley-square, I saw a black smoke ascending; and soon hearing that there was a fire in the Haymarket, I directly hastened there, when to my surprise, I beheld the Opera-House in flames. Having the key of my room in my pocket, and the crowd making way for me, I soon got there, at the time the back part was burning. I first secured the portrait of Monsieur Saint-Georges (the famous fencer), which hung over the chimneypiece, and removed it to Saint Albin's street, where I then resided. At my return, though, I was not absent six minutes, the mob had rushed in, and plundered the room of everything. As to the foils, jackets, etc., they were of little value to me, compared to what I had in my closet: a portfolio of beautiful drawings, particularly several valuable ones of Cipriani, also of Nortimer, Rowlandson, etc., the loss of which I very much regretted; but consoled myself by saving Saint-Georges' picture, which he sat purposely for, and offered me after our fencing together, the second day of his arrival in this country. It was painted in 1787 by Mather Brown, an American artist, much encouraged here at the time.11

  There exist a great number of drawings representing the Chevalier de Saint-Georges. First, there is the portrait in dark brown by Carle Vernet, and another portrait that hung in the arms room of Professor Grisier:

  ... the physiognomy, disting
uished, stands out an enormous white tie. The Chevalier wears a scarlet frock, and his hand, covered by a big fencing glove, holds a foil.

  This is one of the few remaining portraits and the one that appears most often in literature of Saint-Georges. This portrait is an aquatint made in London while Saint-Georges was staying in London. There exists another picture from the same period, colored, and showing la Chevalière d'Eon making an assault with the Chevalier. It has a title: The assault, on fencing match, which took place at Carlton House, on the 9th of April, 1787, between Mademoiselle la Chevalière d'Eon de Beaumont, and Monsieur de Saint-Georges.

  In this picture, English as its title says, the famous Chevalière d'Eon, wearing a black dress, leaving the arm free for bending, wearing cornets ridiculous enough, and the cross of Saint-Louis on her chest, crosses swords with Saint-Georges, in leather jacket and in knee breeches. Among the spectators is the Prince of Wales. Other contemporary drawings, rarer, sketched mostly in crayon representing different strokes of dexterity of Saint-Georges. Here, he can be seen jumping through the half-opened doors of a coach riding speedily; farther, he kills with each hand several swallows in their flight. The most amusing of these drawing is the Duel à l'écumoire (The Duel with the Skimmer) sketch attributed to Carmontel. The Chevalier, in little morning jacket, and crossing swords against a cook of the Prince de Conti, who, tired of the reproaches of Saint-Georges about his cooking, had called him moricaud (darky) and had thrown himself on the mulatto, in the kitchen, sword in his hand. Obliged to defend himself and without arms, the Chevalier had grabbed a skimmer and, with this peculiar sword, disarmed his vindictive adversary. Saint-Georges, who held his title of Creole very highly, did not in the meantime like to be called 'darky' witnessed by the miserable fellow that he rolls in the gutter to make him pay for this unwelcome expression, telling him, 'there you are now, as dark as I am.'12

  It is fortunate that the English recorded many more anecdotes about Saint-Georges and his accomplishments, but not many about his social life. I chose to quote these adventures, since they describe the events so vividly that I fear that some of the charm and authenticity might be lost by my telling these anecdotes in my own words. Since Saint-Georges' talents and exploits will appear unbelievable to many, I chose to let the people who knew him tell his story, even though sometimes there is controversy regarding some events that led some to interpret differently; nevertheless, they verify that the events did occur.

  Here again is another account of Saint-Georges told again by Angelo junior, who saw him often while he was in London:

  Monsieur Chevalier, at that time first dancer at the Opera house here, and who was considered one of the best fencers at Paris, was a constant visitor, not only assisting in improving my scholars, but gratifying me, for I ever preferred to be opposed to a scientific antagonist. Mr. M'D and Chevalier were usually opponents, and one day, the former being displeased at received the other's thrust, after having given the first hit, some words arose between them, which I did not hear, when they left off. They dressed themselves and quit the room together; finding that on the stairs they had some angry conversation (this was in June about three o'clock), and had both gone, I suspect some appointment had been made. As soon as I could get away, I hurried to the Orange coffeehouse to find out the Chevalier's address, where I found him in high spirits over a dish of macaroni, perhaps confident of his superior skill with a sword. Though I could not get the least information from him, as to whether any intended meeting was to take place, I was determined to watch his leaving the house. About five a hackney-coach stopped before the door, bringing Mr. M'D_____t and Monsieur Henry with him; soon after, Chevalier entered, when the coach drove towards Pimlico. I directly followed. After passing the turnpike, it turned to the left toward Pimlico, and stopped at the end of a lane, some little distance from Chelsea Hospital. Here, they descended. I was then some way off, running; however, I was in time to see them get over a gate, when hastening to the place, in a field, I saw them with their coats off, sword in hand, just going to engage; I called out, and ran towards them, but not in time to prevent them from beginning. Here was a commencement, far different to those methods they had previously practiced before me in the Haymarket, as caution and skill are necessary when opposed to the point of a sword. Fortunately the delay, caused by the hesitation who should attack first, enabled me to be in time to part them. When I inquired what could be their motive for going out with swords, or whether anything had been said to give offense, or any apology expected, they both seemed not to know what brought them at that distance together. All that I could elicit was, Chevalier was called out, and he said, 'de tout mon Coeur.' To give you an idea of the short time I beheld the grand combat, the Frenchman, endeavoring to intimidate his adversary, kept making a noise; though he made the first lunge, he took good care to be out of distance at the time, whilst the other, whom I had often seen not so cool and collected with a foil, now with all that sang froid, laughed, and cried, 'poh!' on his first receiving the attack, and at Chevalier's not coming nearer. This faire semblant of the one to appear courageous to frighten, or the other's fierté, could not have continued long; the result might have been dangerous, or fatal.

  Now peace having been pro-claimed, and the swords sheathed, we all adjourned to a tea-garden, near Hogmorre Lane, where the glass passed round pretty freely. Chevalier, who at Paris had often drawn his sword, showed us sufficient proofs of the different rencontres he had experienced there, his right side and breast exhibiting many places where he had been wounded. As the wine operated, he began to boast of his amours, and told us that his mistress had once stabbed him, through jealousy, showing us a scar on his right breast, and though we considered it at the time as a mere histoire, yet we patiently listened to his adventure. After this last bout, unlike the classical opponents, they always met with good humor and found my room preferable to the field.13

  Notice, finally, this peculiar detail that sums up the attitude and respect the English had for Saint-Georges as a man of arms:

  ...this retired fencer, this master of arms, who was called the inimitable and the invincible, never had a duel. No adversary dared risk a duel with him. In fact, his historic duel with a fencing master, the Chevalier de la Morlière is only a comedy. The story is known. Saint-Georges outraged, fixed an appointment with his adversary under one of the arches of the Mary Bridge and, there on his body broke a whole bushel of foils, to the great amusement of the dumbfounded onlookers. The Chevalier de Saint-Georges is in every way one of the most original figures of his time.14

  J.A. Rogers when writing of this same story, wrote that:

  But the Count proved so poor an opponent, that Saint-Georges seized him boldly, put him across his knees and spanked him like a child....

  Chapter V

  Return to Paris

  The Beginning of the Revolution

  Saint-Georges Serves His Country

  After a lengthy stay in London, Saint-Georges ended his second and final visit and returned to Paris. He immediately resumed his stylish way of living and wrote a few more pieces of music which were published in London after his death.

  Saint-Georges led a very unusual life even for those times. Maybe, because he was black, he had more than the usual encounters. Since he was such a great fencer and such a gentleman who was noted for never taking advantage of a person, it should seem odd that he would have so many duels and attacks. I have only mentioned a few specific instances of attacks on Saint-Georges, but there were many more attacks on him as he walked the streets at nights. Certainly some had nothing to do with his color, they were simply attempted robberies. Yet others cause one to question. Saint-Georges was such a kind and forgiving man. Denys tells us that:

  Once during a discussion with one of his rivals at the Concert of Amateurs, he had made a few unpleasant remarks to the other man and the other man slapped him. The injury was one of those which one considered provoking a fight and the
invincible sword of Saint-Georges held this careless man at his mercy. But as Saint-Georges was as quick to catch himself as to loose himself, he contented himself with saying to the witness at the scene, 'I like his talents too much to fight him.' Only the reputation for goodness which the Chevalier enjoyed can explain the boldness of this violinist, for Jarnowick was not a good swordsman; he had sometime later in England insulted a pianist and obstinately refused to fight and lost face to the point that he had to leave London.1

  In 1789, the French Revolution began. This period extended to 1799, beginning on May 4, 1789, with the meeting of the States-General which desired to suppress class distinctions and secure the system of voting by head. In effect there was a desire to destroy the system of Feudalism. France, like several other European countries, was a class society with definite inequality of rights. There were three orders of estates. Out of a population of 24 to 36 million people in the 18th century, 96 percent were of the Third Estate or the lower class people who paid almost all of the taxes. About 500,000 people made up the privileged classes divided between the ecclesiastical and aristocratic which were the first and second estates who paid almost no taxes.

  French peasantry was unique in Europe in that all peasants were legally free and about 3 out of every 4 heads of families were proprietors of the land they worked. They owned about 40 percent of the workable land but with a growing rural population, it was not enough. Since their small plots were inadequate to support them, they had to earn extra money by working the land of the clergy, the aristocracy or the bourgeoisie as tenant farmers or sharecroppers. One out of every 4 was landless. These families had to hire themselves out as farmers, etc. Because of this group, France had thousands of beggars, tramps and robbers, even during good times. This group was also almost entirely illiterate.