Feminine Fusion

S09 Ep25: Women of Color – Composers, Part 8

by Diane Jones

February 22, 2025

Givonna Joseph & Aria Mason, co-founders of Opera Creole

“[We want] to challenge the narrative that people of African descent aren’t capable of writing at this level.  To challenge the narrative that Black people can’t sing or conduct complex, challenging music, or produce dynamic works.  To continue to challenge the imposed identity of Blackness as lacking the depth or breadth of variety and intelligent creation.”  Aria Mason, Co-founder/Production Director of Opera Créole.

This week we travel to New Orleans to meet the mother-and-daughter duo who co-founded Opera Créole.  These amazing women are committed to researching, preserving, and presenting lost or rarely-performed works by composers of African descent.

“Women of Color – Portrait: Opera Créole”

Basile Barés: La Creole
Peter Collins, piano
“Music of Basile Barés”
Centaur 2835

Scott Joplin:  Treemonisha (excerpts)
Original cast orchestra & chorus; Gunther Schuller, conductor
Betty Allen (Monisha); Edward Pierson (Parson Alltalk)
“Treemonisha”
Deutsche Grammophon 4589

Lucien Lambert: Brocéliande
Hot Springs Music Festival; Richard Rosenberg, conductor
“Ouverture de Brocéliande and other works”
Naxos 559037

Traditional:  Give Me JesusdGivonna Joseph, soprano
“Hymns for New Orleans”
Opera Créole

Lucien Lambert: La Spahi (excerpts)
Opera Créole
Live performance – used with permission

Edmond Dédé:  Morgiane (excerpt)
Opera Créole
Live performance – used with permission

Run time:  58:29