Rita Dove illuminates the forgotten story of George Bridgetower

January 8th, 2025

Renowned poet Rita Dove brings the remarkable story of George Bridgetower, a mixed-race violin prodigy of the 19th century, into the spotlight through her acclaimed poetry collection Sonata Mulattica. (photo courtesy of Fred Viebahn)
Alex Wong / Alex Wong

The name of a brilliant violin prodigy of the early 19^th century has been elevated to proper historical recognition thanks to the renowned poet Rita Dove.

Her collection, “Sonata Mulattica” was inspired by George Bridgetower, a young Black violinist from London whose artistry won the admiration of the mighty Beethoven in Vienna. Former U.S. poet laureate and UVA Professor Rita Dove will read her poem, “The Bridgetower,” at a concert featuring the Violin Sonata Beethoven wrote for Bridgetower on Jan. 17 at Emory University’s Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts.

Dove recently joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes to discuss her upcoming performance and the story of George Bridgetower.

Dove shared how a fleeting moment in the film “Immortal Beloved” sparked her deep dive into Bridgetower’s life.

“It haunted me,” she said, recounting how she stumbled upon a brief reference to Bridgetower online, which opened the door to years of research spanning libraries and archives.

Her work explores Bridgetower’s early tutelage under Haydn, his ascent as a celebrated violinist, and his complex friendship with Beethoven, who relied on Bridgetower’s dynamic playing to help navigate his growing deafness. Her new collection weaves poetry, playwriting and music into a vibrant tapestry that explores Bridgetower’s inner world.

To hear Rita Dove discuss her journey and read excerpts from “Sonata Mulattica,” check out the full conversation above.

Information about the upcoming performance can be found at the Schwartz Center’s website here.