Saint-Georges, Chevalier de

1745-1799

French violinist; born at Guadeloupe, West Indies; the son of the French fermier-general and a negress. He studied in Paris with Leclair and later with Gossec, with whom he founded the Concert des Amateurs, and where he was a director and played first violin. He was an extraordinary and a very extravagant violin ' virtuoso. Saint-Georges composed violin sonatas; two books of trio sonatas for two violins and bass; violin concertos and six concertantes for two violins and orchestra. He also composed the operas, Ernestine, produced m 1777; Comedie Italienne; and Le Marchand de Marrons. produced m 1788.