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Edmond Dédé and Morgiane

Presented by Opera Lafayette and Folger Shakespeare Library

Booking and details

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Dates Thu, Jan 16, 2025, 6:30pm

Venue Folger Theatre

Tickets Free; registration requested

Opera Lafayette and Folger Shakespeare Library present an engaging talk exploring the music of Black composer Edmond Dédé (1827—1903), accompanied by selections from his opera Morgiane.

Vocal artist, improvisor, and composer currently in residence with the American Composers Orchestra Mali Irene leads a conversation with OperaCréole Founder and Artistic Director Givonna Joseph and classical music scholars about Dédé’s biography and musical legacy.

Before the talk, see the manuscript of Morgiane, the first known opera by a Black American composer, on display in the Folger’s Out of the Vault exhibition January 13 February 28. The manuscript is on loan from Houghton Library, Harvard University.

Can’t join us in person?

Register for virtual access to a live streaming of the conversation.

Register for access

About Morgiane

Did you know that the first complete opera by a Black American has been hidden in a single manuscript for over 130 years? Edmond Dédé, a fourth-generation free person of color born in 1827 New Orleans, had an incredibly successful career as a conductor and composer in Bordeaux, France, writing nearly 100 critically and popularly acclaimed works for the French stage. His magnum opus, however—a four act French grand opera on themes from Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves—had yet to receive a premiere at the time of his death, and languished, unrecognized, in private collections and libraries for over a century.

Opera Lafayette, with Artistic Director Designate Patrick Quigley, and in partnership with New Orleans’ Givonna Joseph, Founder of OperaCréole, has painstakingly transcribed this monumental work and will present the long overdue world premiere of Dédé’s masterpiece, 138 years after its composition.

Performances of Morgiane take place in February in locations in DC, New York, and New Orleans. Visit Opera Lafayette’s website for a schedule of performances.

Learn more about Morgiane performances

Speakers

Givonna Joseph

Founder and Artistic Director, OperaCréole

Givonna Joseph

Mali Irene

Moderator

Mali Irene