Name: CD Release: Edmond Dédé's "Morgiane" and a Celebration of New Orleans Black Opera Excellence
Start: 2026-02-27T18:00:00-06:00
Location: 7325 Drexel Dr. Music Bldg. Xavier University of Louisiana

$CD Release: Edmond D\u00e9d\u00e9's "Morgiane" and a Celebration of New Orleans Black Opera Excellence$

A Celebration of Edmond Dédé's Morgiane
and New Orleans' Black Opera Excellence
A panel discussion, performance, and CD listening session
Featuring:
Givonna Joseph and Aria Mason, Founders of OperaCréole
Patrick Dupré Quigley, Artistic Director of Washington, D.C.-based Opera Lafayette
Dr. Sakinah Davis, Director of Opera Workshop at Xavier University of Louisiana
Representatives from the Xavier University of Louisiana Archives
OperaCréole and Xavier's Music Department invite you to join us for a celebration of the CD release of the world premiere recording of Edmond Dédé's 1887 opera, Morgiane, which is a collaboration between OperaCréole and Opera Lafayette. This event explores the New Orleans Black community's enduring commitment to opera—from the 19th century through the JimCrow era to the present day, spanning from Dédé to Terence Blanchard.
The program will feature insights into the making of Morgiane and its 2025 four-state world premiere. Guests will hear excerpts from the CD and a live performance by OperaCréole artists featured on the recording.
We will also honor the Xavier University of Louisiana Opera program and its archivists, including the late Lester Sullivan, for their pivotal roles in preserving Black opera excellence in New Orleans. The event will include displays of archival documents highlighting Xavier’s rich opera history.

Light refreshments will be served. CDs will be available for purchase.
Free Admission:
6:00 p.m. February 27th
Xavier University Of Louisiana
Blanche M. Francis Music Bldg 2nd Floor Recital Hall