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 City, and Dekelboum Recital Hal at the University of Maryland’s Clarice Center for Performing Arts. There will also be a world premiere preview performance set for New Orleans in January 2025 alongside OperaCréole.

The performances will be recorded and set for release.

“Opera Lafayette is deeply grateful to receive this support from the Ford Foundation,” said Patrick Quigley, Opera Lafayette’s Artistic Director Designate, per an official press release. “This award will help bring to life the work of Edmond Dédé, whose Morgiane has languished in obscurity for 138 years. This is the most important piece of American music that no one has ever heard, and we are honored to give it the world premiere it deserves.”