Warning: This post contains major spoilers for ChevalierChevalier is the first feature film about classical composer Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, and there are a few creative liberties taken when adapting his life to the big screen. Directed by Stephen Williams from a screenplay by Stefani Robinson, Chevalier follows the titular character’s life as navigates high society as a biracial man (he was born to a French plantation owner and an enslaved Senegalese woman) in 18th century , composing symphonies, dealing with racism, and finding love.

Chevalier has received a positive reception from critics, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. has received high praise for his portrayal of the titular Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The musician’s life was largely lost to history following his death in 1799, but has seen a resurgence, with historians solidifying his importance and influence as a composer, and the role he later played in the French Revolution. Chevalier wouldn’t be a Hollywood biopic if it didn’t take any creative license with the virtuoso’s life. And though there are plenty of moments that draw from Joseph Bologne’s real life, there are just as many that have been exaggerated or fabricated for the sake of its theatrical retelling.

8 Joseph Bologne Didn’t Duel With Mozart During A Concert

Chevalier opens with a musical duel between Joseph Bologne and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who was conducting a concert when the Chevalier de Saint-Georges comes in and begins playing the violin, upstaging Mozart in front of his audience. While it’s a thrilling way to start a movie, there is no evidence that Bologne participated in a violin duel with Mozart, though there may have been some jealousy from Mozart. It is believed by historians that Bologne’s music influenced Mozart’s, though there is a clear separation between their musical style. They would have known of each other’s music, and Bologne would not have caused such a public spectacle.

7 Chevalier Was Much More Than A Skilled Classical Composer

The Chevalier de Saint-Georges was far more than a skilled classical composer and violinist. Bologne excelled in a number of activities — he was a master swordsman and fencer, a great swimmer, a fantastic dancer, equestrian, and ice skater, among other accomplishments. Bologne was often invited to balls, putting his dance skills to good use with the ladies of high society. John Adams, writing in his diary in 1779, called Bologne the “most accomplished Man in Europe in Riding, Running, Shooting, Fencing, Dancing, Musick.”

6 Chevalier May Not Have Had A Child With Marie-Josephine

Chevalier posits that Bologne and Marie-Josephine de Montalembert had an affair that produced a son who was killed by Marie Josephine’s husband, Marc René, marquis de Montalembert. Considering the details of Bologne’s private life are not as well known, his closeness with Marie-Josephine is considered by many to have been rumored, with no substantial evidence of its occurrence. Bologne himself was the subject of ’s gossip publications, and he was considered a charmer who was beloved by several aristocratic women at the time. Marie-Josephine was likely one of many.

In Gabriel Banat’s book, The Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Virtuoso of the Sword and the Bow, he suggests Marie-Josephine did have a child with Joseph that was sent away to another village to die by her husband. However, Bologne raised no known children, and died without having ever been married. If Bologne and Marie-Josephine did have a child, the secrecy surrounding it would have been such that no one outside of their inner circle would have known. The lack of overall evidence hints at a potential affair between them, at the very least.

5 Joseph Bologne Was Fired As Marie Antoinette’s Private Music Teacher

Chevalier highlights Joseph Bologne’s close relationship with Marie Antoinette, whose friendship is tested when the monarch refuses to back Bologne’s candidacy for the position of director at the Paris Opera. Long before that, however, Bologne was actually hired as Marie Antoinette’s music teacher. But he was eventually fired from his role, with the Chevalier and the Queen even ending their performances together, because they became “too close,” and the center of gossip among the royal court, who perhaps believed there was something else between them beyond friendship.

4 Chevalier’s Mother Nanon Came To Much Earlier Than In The Film

In Chevalier, Bologne grew up without his mother, Nanon, who didn't come to live with him in until he was an adult. However, Nanon, along with Joseph’s father Georges de Bologne Saint-Georges, lived with their son in Paris, with Nanon having arrived in when Joseph was nine years old. The film depicts Joseph’s relationship with Nanon as being a bit distant at first, especially as he had been raised amongst the Aristocracy, and lacked an overall connection with his Black roots. It’s unclear what the mother/son dynamic was like in reality, but Joseph at least had his mother growing up that he could look to.

3 Joseph Bologne & Mozart Actually Lived Together For A While

From July through September 1778, Joseph Bologne and Mozart lived together at the residence of Madame de Montesson. Mozart had just lost his mother while in Paris, and Bologne had accepted the position of music director of de Montesson’s private theater. It’s believed that a relationship between the two composers was likely, especially considering their shared lodgings and the social circles they were both a part of at the time. While Bologne and Mozart did not duel each other on stage, the probability that they crossed paths, and perhaps were, at the very least, cordial acquaintances, is high.

2 A Rejected Love Interest Helped Thwart Chevalier’s Paris Opera Career

Chevalier gets it right regarding Bologne’s candidacy for the position of Paris Opera conductor. The virtuoso was up for the role, but was rejected by three opera singers who refused to work with him on the basis of his race. There is speculation that Bologne rejected Marie-Madeleine Guimard’s romantic attentions. Angry about his refusal, Marie-Madeleine is thought to have played a role in thwarting the Chevalier de Saint-Georges’ bid to conduct the Paris Opera. At the time, Marie-Madeleine was a ballerina and held some power at court.

1 Marc René Didn't Threaten To Shoot Joseph At A Concert

Chevalier’s ending sees Joseph Bologne putting on a concert to fund revolutionary efforts. Marie Antoinette is displeased by this turn of events, and gives Marc René orders to shoot Bologne during the performance. It’s a dramatic, empowering ending due to Bologne’s standoff with Marc René and the latter’s retreat. However, there is no evidence suggesting that Marc René threatened to shoot Joseph while in concert. This is where Chevalier takes creative license, likely so the tension between Bologne, Marie Antoinette, and Marc René could really soar after Joseph lost the Paris Opera position and his infant son.