The 3rd Annual Mixed Experience History Month kicks off with a profile of George Augustus Polgreen Bridgetower, a 17th century biracial musical prodigy who is the subject of award-winning poet Rita Dove's new poetry book Sonata Mulattica.
Bridgetower, born in 1778 or 1780, was an Afro-Polish violinist. He performed throughout Europe as a child and in 1803 performed with Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven was impressed with Bridgetower's talent and dedicated a composition to him calling it Sonata per uno mulaticco lunattico. When the two had a falling out later, Beethoven changed the dedication and the piece is now known as the Kreutzer Sonata.
Bridgetower died in 1860 after a long musical career of performing and teaching. He was survived by a wife and daughter.
