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Reviews, Stage Reviews

Opera Lafayette & OperaCreole 2025 Review: Morgiane, ou Le Sultan d’Ispahan

https://operawire.com/opera-lafayette-2025-review-morgiane-ou-le-sultan-dispahan/

(Photo Credit: Jennifer Packard Photos, Courtesy of Opera Lafayette) “Defying harsh laws, braving even death, I was able to change my fate,” the titular Morgiane sings proudly in Edmond Dédé’s “Morgiane, ou Le Sultan d’Ispahan.” The same could be said of the composer. Born free in New Orleans in 1827, Dédé defied expectations of what a Black man in the {…}

News

OperaCréole & Opera Lafayette Debut the Earliest Extant Complete Opera by a Black American

https://operawire.com/operacreole-opera-lafayette-debut-the-earliest-extant-complete-opera-by-a-black-american/

OperaCréole and Opera Lafayette present Edmond Dédé’s the never-performed work “Morgiane.” Only recently discovered, “Morgiane” is believed to be the earliest extant complete opera by a Black American. The world premiere is presented in a concert version by Mary Elizabeth Williams, Kenneth Kellogg, Chauncey Packer, Joshua Conyers, Jonathan Woody, along with members of Opera Creole chorus. The Opera Lafayette Orchestra performs {…}

Season Announcement

Lauren Snouffer, Mary Elizabeth Williams, Elijah McCormack, Chelsea Helm, Maya Kherani, James Reese Headline Opera Lafayette’s 2025-26 Season

https://operawire.com/lauren-snouffer-mary-elizabeth-williams-elijah-mccormack-chelsea-helm-maya-kherani-james-reese-headline-opera-lafayettes-2025-26-season/

Opera Lafayette has announced its 2025-26 season. First up is “Dido and Aeneas” starring Mary Elizabeth Williams, Elijah McCormack, and Chelsea Helm. Patrick Quigley conducts the Opera Lafayette Orchestra. Performance Dates: Oct. 16, 2025 (Washington DC), Oct. 20, 2025 (NYC) Then comes “Queen of Hearts,” a Valentine’s Day revel. Nic McGegan leads the concert, which features Maya Kherani and James Reese. {…}

News

Opera Lafayette to Celebrate Ryan Brown’s 30-Year Tenure & Farewell

https://operawire.com/opera-lafayette-to-celebrate-ryan-browns-30-year-tenure-farewell/

Opera Lafayette will celebrate 30 years of Ryan Brown on two separate occasions. The program, titled “RE|JOICE: 30 Years of Ryan Brown,” heads to New York City for a performance at St. Bartholomew Church on April 30, 2025. Then on May 1, the showcase will take the stage in Washington D.C. at The Kennedy Center. Both events will represent Brown’s {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams on Edmond Dédé’s Opera ‘Morgiane’

https://operawire.com/q-a-soprano-mary-elizabeth-williams-on-edmond-dedes-opera-morgiane/

(Photo Courtesy of Mary Elizabeth Williams.) Opera Lafayette and OperaCréole present “RE|STORE: Edmond Dédé’s ‘Morgiane’” in four cities across the U.S. including New Orleans, Washington, DC, New York City, and College Park, MD. The preview of this never-performed, long-lost masterpiece took place at the historical St. Louis Cathedral, where Dédé was baptized, featuring The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra playing modern instruments {…}

News

Winter Storm Forces Rescheduling of New Orleans Premiere of ‘Morgiane’

https://operawire.com/winter-storm-forces-rescheduling-of-new-orleans-premiere-of-morgiane/

Opera Creole and Opera Lafayette’s performance of Edmond Dédé’s “Morgiane” in New Orleans has been rescheduled due to a winter storm. The showcase of the earliest extant complete opera by a Black American will now take place on Jan. 24 at the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. The preview performance kicks off at 7:30 p.m. CT. Following the New {…}

Business, News

West Edge Opera Adds Vocal Artists to Major Leadership Positions

https://operawire.com/west-edge-opera-adds-vocal-artists-to-major-leadership-positions/

West Edge Opera has announced that vocal artists Efraín Solís and Kenneth Kellogg will be taking on leadership roles in the company. Solís is joining as a voting member of the board of directors while Kellogg will take on the position of Director of Marketing and Engagement. The company’s goal of including the baritone and bass in leadership is to {…}

Business, News

Opera Lafayette Receives Major Grant to Support World Premiere of ‘Morgiane’

https://operawire.com/opera-lafayette-receives-major-grant-to-support-world-premiere-of-morgiane/

Opera Lafayette is the recipient of a $410,000 grant from the Ford Foundation. The grant will support the performance and recording of “Morgiane” by Edmond Dédé, the earliest existing opera by a Black American. The opera will be conducted by Quigley the world premiere showcases in February 2025 at Lincoln Theatre in Washington, Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York {…}

News

Opera Lafayette Announces 204-25 Season

https://operawire.com/opera-lafayette-announces-204-25-season/

Opera Lafayette announces its 30th anniversary season. Soprano Amel Brahim-Djelloul performs in the Ensemble Amedyez and and Kalanidhi Dance in the opening event, “RE|CLAIM.” Performance Dates: October 21, 22, & 24, 2024 “RE | STORE” events are centered around Edmond Dédé’s “Morgiane.” The cast features sopranos Mary Elizabeth Williams and Lindsey Reynolds, tenor Chauncey Packer, baritone Joshua Conyers, bass-baritone Jonathan {…}