Edmond Dédé’s opera Morgiane, the first known opera by a Black American composer, is making history with its world premiere after being lost for 138 years. The opera, a four-act French masterpiece inspired by the classic tale Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, was written by Dédé in the late 1800s but never performed during his lifetime. This monumental event in music history marks a significant achievement in the cultural legacy of Black composers in America.
A Lost Opera Rediscovered
Morgiane had remained forgotten for over a century until its rediscovery in 2010 at Harvard University’s Houghton Library. The opera was originally composed by Edmond Dédé, born in 1827 in New Orleans to a free Black family. Dédé, who faced pervasive racism in the U.S., moved to Paris in the mid-1800s, where he built a successful career as a violinist, conductor, and composer.
After the rediscovery of the opera’s 550-page manuscript, the work had to be meticulously transcribed and modernized to make it ready for performance. The team behind the revival of Morgiane worked for two years to convert the manuscript into a usable score, translate the French libretto into English, and prepare the orchestral parts for performance.
Edmond Dédé’s Musical Legacy
Dédé’s Morgiane blends European operatic traditions with Southern American influences, creating a sound that is both innovative and accessible. His use of French bel canto techniques, along with familiar American brass band traditions, gives the opera a unique musical voice. Morgiane features dramatic vocal ranges, elaborate ornamentations, and coloratura, making it an emotionally stirring piece.
Patrick Dupre Quigley, artistic director of Opera Lafayette, points out that the score’s musical approach is both operatic and theatrical, with brief, tuneful arias and harmonic transitions that keep the drama flowing. The composer’s ability to incorporate Caribbean rhythms alongside classical European influences reflects his versatility and deep understanding of musical styles.
Bringing Morgiane to the Stage
The opera made its debut in a preview performance at the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans on January 24, 2025, the site of Dédé’s baptism. The fully staged production will be performed across several major venues, including the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C., and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater in New York City. The cast includes soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams as Morgiane and bass Kenneth Kellogg as Sultan Kourouschah, with a supporting cast of talented opera singers.
Opera Lafayette, in partnership with OperaCréole of New Orleans, is bringing this opera to life. OperaCréole, known for its dedication to preserving the works of 19th-century New Orleans composers of color, and Opera Lafayette, renowned for its expertise in reviving historical works, are the ideal teams to bring Dédé’s vision to fruition.
A Cultural and Historical Milestone
The premiere of Morgiane is more than just a musical event; it is a reflection of the cultural history of New Orleans and the role of Black composers in the development of American classical music. OperaCréole and its partners have worked hard to ensure that this production reaches a wide audience through accessible performances and community engagement events, including panel discussions, masterclasses, and online salons.
This performance is a significant milestone in bringing diversity and underrepresented works into the operatic canon. It highlights the importance of rediscovering lost pieces and showcasing the contributions of Black artists to the arts. As Givonna Joseph, founder of OperaCréole, says, this historic production represents a broader vision of expanding the American operatic tradition to include diverse and historically significant works.
Leave a Reply