Bridgetower:
Hackney Empire
A thrilling new jazz opera about eighteenth century black violinist George Bridgetower arrives at Hackney Empire Theatre this October in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.
An exhilarating evening of live jazz music in the form of an opera, Bridgetower tells the story of George Bridgetower, a violin virtuoso who studied with Haydn and played with Beethoven. His story unfolds against the backdrop of a gripping time in British history – when Parliament banned the transport of slaves on British ships, and escaped slave Mary Prince published a brave autobiography that became a rallying cry for the abolitionist movement throughout the world.
Bridgetower is a hugely enjoyable journey from eighteenth century London to the most vibrant and exciting courts of Europe. It will be performed by a stunning cast of some of the UK’s top jazz performers, including Cleveland Watkiss in the title role and the world-famous Julian Joseph Big Band (featuring famed saxophonist Steve Williamson and violinist Christian Garrick). Bridgetower came to London as a child prodigy in 1789, under the patronage of the Royal Family. He was acclaimed throughout Europe in the 18th century – in fact, Beethoven dedicated his fiendishly difficult Kreutzer Sonata to him, before changing the dedication when the pair fell out over a woman!
Bridgetower is composed by pianist and bandleader Julian Joseph, the libretto is by broadcaster and author Mike Phillips, the production will be directed by Helen Eastman.
For details contact Hackney Empire Theatre, show on Thursday 25 October at 7.30pm
BacK: Entertainment
The Violin Virtuoso
George Bridgetower was born in Biala, Poland on 29th February, 1780. His father, Frederich Bridgetower came from Barbados and his mother, Ann Bridgetower, from Germany.
From his earliest childhood, George showed extraordinary musical talent. His first performance was at the age of nine in Paris, where he played a violin concerto. A courtier described his playing as ‘perfect, with a clear good tone spirit pathos and good taste’.
The Prince of Wales (the future George IV) was very impressed with Bridgewater and paid his father £25 to become his guardian. The Prince of Wales employed leading musicians to teach Bridgewater musical theory. He also arranged for him to give concerts as a solo violinist at the Convent Garden, Drury Lane and Haymarket theatres. For the next 14 years Bridgewater held the post of first violinist in the Prince of Wales’s private orchestra that performed at his home in London and at the Royal Pavilion.
In 1802 Bridgewater went on a concert tour of Germany and Austria. In May 1803 he met Ludwig von Beethoven who was immensely impressed by his abilities and described him as “a very able virtuoso and an absolute master of the instrument.” Bridgewater obtained a degree of Bachelor of Music at Cambridge University in June 1811. He composed very little work but continued to perform in Europe for many years. George Bridgetower died in Peckham, London, on 20th February, 1860.
Pic: Lady Kofoworola (Ania) Moore
© Rosyn Ghemi |
An exhilarating evening of live jazz music in the form of an opera, Bridgetower tells the story of George Bridgetower, a violin virtuoso who studied with Haydn and played with Beethoven.� |
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© BHM |