It’s not every day that one gets to perform in the world premiere of an opera written in 1887, but for Aria Mason (BA Music, BA History, ‘05), that unthinkable dream is becoming a reality.
Mason and her mother, Giovanna Joseph, are on a journey to rediscover the works of Black Creole composers that have been lost to time. Since founding OperaCreole in 2011, they have performed at hundreds of events and concerts in their native New Orleans and abroad.
Recently, Mason and Joseph have been on a mission to stage the opera Morgiane, which was written by Creole composer Edmond Dédé in 1887 and is considered to be the first full-length opera to be composed by a Black American. Although written over 130 years ago, Morgiane still has not been premiered. At first, it was excluded due to racial discrimination in the New Orleans’ operatic world. Later, it was lost to time, as no one was around to remember the work of Dédé and other Creole composers. Now, it will finally receive its time on the big stage thanks to the diligent efforts of this dynamic mother-daughter duo.
Thanks to a collaboration with Opera Lafayette, Mason and her team will finally perform the world premiere of Morgiane on February 3, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the renowned Lincoln Theatre, here in Washington, D.C. They will also offer subsequent performances on February 5th (New York City, NY) and February 7th (College Park, MD). Those who wish to purchase tickets to witness this historic event live may do so here.
Since starting their work to mount the premiere of Morgiane, Mason and Joseph have received much acclaim and support, including a prominent article from Atlas Obscura and a featured interview with the NBC Nightly News. In addition to the excitement from the press, Mason is being honored by the New Orleans Tourism and Culture Fund for her work as co-founder of her organization, OperaCreole, and her commitment to music education and community service. She will receive her award at the NOTCF Honors Gala on January 11, 2025, and those who wish to support her in-person may purchase their tickets here.
Mason’s activism and artistry through OperaCreole have begun to revolutionize the operatic community and canon. These previously forgotten works are now being granted the praise they so deserve. Congratulations to Aria Mason on her extraordinary work to use her voice to speak up for those who can no longer do so for themselves.