What We Can Know About Edmond And Basile

About the film

The stars of What We Can Know About Edmond and Basile are 19th century New Orleans composers Basile Barès and Edmond Dédé.

Basile Barès and Edmond Dédé were Creoles of Color in 19th century New Orleans– Dédé a free man, Barès born into enslavement.

From the tailend of slavery to racial segregation Barès and Dédé wrote and performed operas and concert popular with black and white audiences. Yet, since their lifetime their compositions have not been performed, and some have never been presented to the public. New Orleans musicians and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra are now resurrecting their long lost compositions.

From rehearsals to costume fittings Edmond and Basile documents the path to these premieres and uses the performances as a springboard into a journey into a hidden history.