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November 20th, 2010
thesmithian
In her…suite of linked poems, Sonata Mulattica, Dove dramatizes the life of George Polgreen Bridgetower (1780–1860), son of a European woman and a self-proclaimed “African prince.” By 10, George was already startling Continental audiences with his brilliance on the violin. The poet re-creates this prodigy’s world—the palaces of Hungary, the concert halls of Paris, where Thomas Jefferson and (Dove imagines) his mistress and slave, Sally Hemmings, were dazzled by the boy’s performance. But it was Beethoven, the stormiest genius of the age, who inscribed Polgreen into history. more, here.

In her…suite of linked poems, Sonata Mulattica, Dove dramatizes the life of George Polgreen Bridgetower (1780–1860), son of a European woman and a self-proclaimed “African prince.” By 10, George was already startling Continental audiences with his brilliance on the violin. The poet re-creates this prodigy’s world—the palaces of Hungary, the concert halls of Paris, where Thomas Jefferson and (Dove imagines) his mistress and slave, Sally Hemmings, were dazzled by the boy’s performance. But it was Beethoven, the stormiest genius of the age, who inscribed Polgreen into history.

more, here.

2 notes
poetry, George Polgreen Bridgetower Rita Dove Paris president Thomas Jefferson books history sally hemmings beethoven classical violin hungary
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