He was born in Guadeloupe which was an island in the Caribbean where sugar cane and coffee were grown by French colonials with the help of African slave labor. There were no opportunities for mulattos in that place, so his father took his son to Paris to be educated and raised in privilege. The boy became an excellent swordsman and musician, excelling as a violinist and a composer.
This documentary film includes some historical enactments, musical interludes of performances of his compositions and narration about the history and customs of that era. It paints a vivid picture of a man who though he was very accomplished, exotic and charming was still not totally accepted and was unable to live a normal life as befit a nobleman. He was unable to marry even though women found him interesting and attractive.
His music was lost and then rediscovered. The Tafelmusik Orchestra is featured, playing selections of his music. There are also interviews with musicians about the complexity of technique required to play his music competently and about the emotions that his music evoked.
This Canadian-produced documentary includes a talented, unusual man to the history of great European musical artists and composers.
Here are some scenes from this film.:
I just recently found this link on YouTube where you can watch it.
