cbsnews.com
Morgiane": Rediscovered Opera by Black American Composer Premiers in 2025
Edmond Dede's opera "Morgiane", believed to be the oldest existing opera written by a Black American, premiered in 2025 after being rediscovered in 2014 by Opera Creole, highlighting the systemic racism that prevented its performance in the composer's lifetime and the ongoing work to rectify historical omissions.
- What is the significance of the first performance of Edmond Dede's opera "Morgiane" in 2025?
- Edmond Dede's opera "Morgiane", believed to be the oldest by a Black American, received its first performances in 2025, over a century after his death. The opera, based on "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves", tells the story of a mother and daughter fighting a tyrannical sultan. This production involved transcribing almost 6,000 measures of music into modern notation.
- What were the circumstances surrounding Edmond Dede's life and career that led to "Morgiane" remaining unperformed during his lifetime?
- Dede, a free Black man born in New Orleans in 1827, studied in France and was inspired by Algerian struggles. He returned to the U.S. during Jim Crow, faced discrimination, and never performed his works in America during his lifetime. The rediscovery and performance of "Morgiane" in 2025 represent a significant reclamation of his legacy and a correction of historical omission.
- What are the potential implications of "Morgiane"'s rediscovery and performance for future efforts to uncover and promote works by underrepresented composers?
- The success of "Morgiane"'s 2025 performances points toward a growing interest in rediscovering and celebrating Black composers. Future efforts should focus on unearthing and showcasing other neglected works to achieve a more inclusive and representative portrayal of American musical history. This may involve researching archives and collaborating with institutions to make such works more accessible and better known.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the rediscovery and triumphant performances of "Morgiane," presenting a narrative of overcoming historical injustice and celebrating a belated recognition. While this is a valid and important aspect, the focus might overshadow other important aspects of Dede's life and career, such as the details of his compositions, his life in France, and the reasons behind his decision to never return to the US. The headline, if it existed, would likely reflect this emphasis on the rediscovery.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and celebratory, though words like "triumphant" and "incredible" could be considered slightly loaded, expressing a positive, enthusiastic tone. While this enthusiasm isn't inherently biased, it could be toned down for stricter neutrality. For example, instead of "incredible moment," a more neutral phrasing could be "significant moment.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the rediscovery and performance of "Morgiane" but provides limited detail on Dede's other 250 compositions. While acknowledging his broader output, the article doesn't explore the styles or themes of these other works, potentially omitting valuable context to his overall career and artistic development. The article also doesn't mention any potential challenges or controversies surrounding the rediscovery or production of the opera. Given space constraints, these omissions might be unintentional, but they do limit a full understanding of Dede's contribution to music.
Gender Bias
The article focuses on Dede's life and work, with women mentioned only in relation to the opera (Morgaine and Amine as characters and Givonna Joseph and Aria Mason as rediscoverers). There's no gender imbalance in the primary narrative, but the absence of women in prominent roles outside of the rediscovery aspect could be considered a minor omission. The language used does not exhibit gender bias.
Sustainable Development Goals
The rediscovery and performance of Morgiane, a work by a Black American composer overlooked due to racial injustice, directly addresses historical inequalities in the arts. The performance acknowledges and rectifies the historical marginalization of Black artists and promotes inclusivity within the opera world.