WXXI Classical Presents, with The Black Cinema Series and Our Voices Project...Chevalier, Wednesday April 26th, 7:30pm at The Little, followed by a discussion of the movie, the music, and representation in cinema and classical music, with Jackie McGriff, Co-founder, Director, and Producer of Our Voices Project; Armand Hall, Director of Programs, Gateways Music Festival; Kayla Sconiers, President of The Black Students Union at Eastman; and Julia Figueras, WXXI Classical Music Director and mid-day host.
Inspired by the incredible true story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, who rose to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with a love affair and falling out with Marie Antoinette.
Directed by Stephen Williams. Starring Kelvin Harrison Jr., with Samara Weaving and Minnie Driver. The score features music by Joseph Boulogne and new music by composer Kris Bowers.
The Little Theatre’s Black Cinema Series, presented in partnership with the Rochester Association of Black Journalists (RABJ), screens both scripted and non-fiction films about the Black experience. With an emphasis on contemporary independent films, the series highlights Black perspectives and filmmakers, with screenings and panel discussions with community experts and filmmakers.
Our Voices Project is a production company committed to embracing identity, celebrating resiliency, and promoting visibility through uplifting the voices and sharing the lived experiences of Black, Brown, and Indigenous Peoples through our films, Representation in Cinema podcast episodes, and live panel discussions.
WXXI Classical Presents is a series of films that are related to classical music in some way, co-produced by WXXI Classical and The Little Theatre. Selected by classical music hosts Julia Figueras, Brenda Tremblay and Mona Seghatoleslami, each film chosen exemplifies the power of music in an exciting or non-traditional narrative way.