Spokane String Quartet: Vive la France!

Do you know who was born on Dec. 25? Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges for one. Born in 1745 on a French Caribbean island to an enslaved Senegalese mother and a wealthy French plantation owner, Bologne became one of the most accomplished violinists, conductors, composers and fencers of his time. By age 17, he was an officer of the king’s guard and given the title “Chevalier de Saint-Georges.” Rumor has it that Marie Antoinette once agreed to be his accompanist. History says he single-handedly fought off five anti-abolitionists before a performance. Come celebrate Bologne and other renowned French composers Gabriel Fauré and Maurice Ravel with the Spokane String Quartet during their upcoming Vive la France! concert at the Bing Crosby Theater. It’s the perfect way to start this holiday — and birthday — season.

Spokane String Quartet: Vive la France! • Sun, Nov. 19 at 3 pm • $20-$25; free for students • Bing Crosby Theater • 901 W. Sprague Ave. • spokanestringquartet.org