Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

November 20, 1827

Death

:

January 5, 1903

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Edmond Dédé was a classical music composer born on November 20, 1827, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was the son of a free man of color, Charles Dédé, and a French woman, Marie-Josèphe. Edmond grew up in a musical family, and his father was a well-known violinist and composer in New Orleans. Edmond began his musical education at a young age, studying violin and piano with his father. As a child, Edmond showed great talent and promise as a musician. He made his public debut as a violinist at the age of nine, performing a concerto by Giovanni Battista Viotti. He continued to perform in public throughout his childhood and teenage years, playing in various orchestras and ensembles in New Orleans. In 1848, at the age of 21, Edmond left New Orleans and traveled to Europe to further his musical education. He studied at the Paris Conservatory, where he was a student of the renowned violinist and composer, Charles-Auguste de Bériot. While in Paris, Edmond also studied composition with François-Joseph Fétis and played in various orchestras and ensembles. After completing his studies in Paris, Edmond traveled throughout Europe, performing in concerts and making a name for himself as a violinist and composer. He performed in London, Berlin, and Vienna, among other cities, and received critical acclaim for his virtuosic playing and innovative compositions. In 1855, Edmond returned to New Orleans, where he became the conductor of the city's Philharmonic Society. He also continued to perform as a violinist and compose music, often incorporating elements of African American and Creole music into his works. One of Edmond's most famous compositions is his "Le Rosier," a polka for piano and violin that was inspired by the Creole tradition of the "rosary dance." The piece became a popular dance tune in New Orleans and was later arranged for orchestra. Edmond also composed several operas, including "The Oriole," which was based on a story by Edgar Allan Poe. The opera premiered in New Orleans in 1865 and was well-received by audiences and critics alike. In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, Edmond was also an advocate for civil rights and social justice. He was a member of the New Orleans chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and worked to promote equality and justice for African Americans in the city. Edmond Dédé died on January 5, 1901, in New York City, where he had been living for several years. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the city's Woodlawn Cemetery. In recent years, efforts have been made to honor Edmond's legacy and bring attention to his contributions to classical music and civil rights. In 2018, a group of musicians and activists unveiled a headstone for Edmond's grave, and his music has been performed and recorded by contemporary artists.

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