{"product_id":"4589538828165","title":"Patrick Dupre Quigley - Dede, Edmond : Morgiane, ou, Le sultan d'Ispahan : Opera Lafayette Orchestra, Mary Elizabeth Williams, Kenneth Kellogg, etc.(2025 Stereo)(2CD) - Import 2 CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eCredits:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePatrick Dupre Quigley\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDescription:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e[World premiere recording, the first ever complete opera by an African American!\n\nEdmond (Edmund) Dede was born into an African American family in New Orleans in 1827, but racial discrimination in pre-Civil War Louisiana was harsh. In 1855, he went to France to study under Fromental Arevy and others at the Conservatoire de Paris. He then worked in Bordeaux as assistant conductor of the Grand Théâtre and composer of ballet music, and later conducted operettas and vaudeville at the Alcazar and other theaters, a career that spanned more than 35 years. During his lifetime, he composed more than 250 songs as well as symphonies and ballets, but his dream was a grand opera, the culmination of which was \"Morsiane, or the Sultan of Isfahan,\" completed in 1887. However, it was never performed, and he died in Paris in poverty in 1901. The score was later acquired by a French collector, and in 2000 Harvard University acquired the entire collection. The work features a French text, grand opera influences such as colorful orchestrations for chorus and large orchestra, familiar melodies as heard in the popular theaters where Dede was experienced, and even some Caribbean rhythms and classical counterpoint, It is original and highly accomplished.\n\nThe setting is Arabia and Persia of unknown date. During the wedding ceremony of Ali and Aminu in Isfahan, Beyer, a soldier captain of the Sultanate of Kulshahr, kidnaps Aminu, claiming that the Sultan wants her. Ali, Amine's mother Morgiane, her father Aziz Asan, and others vow to take revenge and recover Amine, but they are caught in the middle of their plot and sentenced to death. However, Morgiane reveals a terrible secret that will save them all. It turns out that Aminu's father is actually the Sultan himself...\n\nThe themes of abuse and corruption of power, the triumph of intelligence and wit, and the dignity of the outsider are themes that reflect Dédée's experience and are evident throughout the story.\n\nOpera Lafayette has a proven track record of performing unknown French operas from the 19th century and earlier on ancient instruments that respect the models and techniques of the time when they were composed. The sound of the orchestra is as close to the original as possible, with gut strings and an ophicleide. The singers' lively expressions are also notable.\n\nNaxos Japan\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Delos","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52171571167521,"sku":"4589538828165","price":5690.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/8482\/2076\/files\/4589538828165.jpg?v=1766641974","url":"https:\/\/cdsvinyljapan.com\/products\/4589538828165","provider":"CDs Vinyl Japan Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}