Draft:Gerard Edery

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Gerard Edery
Born
Casablanca, Morocco
OriginNew York City, United States
GenresSephardic music, folk, world music, classical, opera
Occupation(s)Singer, guitarist, composer, folklorist, producer
Instrument(s)Voice, guitar, saz
Years active1980s–present
LabelsSefarad Records, Tara Publications, others
Websitewww.gerardedery.com

Gerard Ederyis a Moroccan-born American singer, guitarist, recording artist, composer, producer, stage director and educator. He is noted as an interpreter of Sephardic music and is the founder of Sefarad Records, for which he has produced 18 albums of Sephardic and Spanish vocal music, Hebrew liturgical songs, Latin American folk and other world music traditions, opera arias, and original compositions.[1]

Edery has performed at international festivals and venues including the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music (Morocco), Festival Internacional Cervantino (Mexico), the Sacrées Journées de Strasbourg (France), the Festival Internacional de Música Sefardí (Spain), the Diaspora Festival at the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews (Warsaw), the International Jewish Music Festival (Amsterdam), and U.S. venues such as Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall, the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, and Royce Hall in Los Angeles.[2][3]

Early life and education

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Edery was born in Casablanca, Morocco, and raised in Paris and New York City. He earned both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Operatic Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. His principal vocal teachers included Armen Boyajian, David Blackburn, and Judith Raskin.[4] He also studied acting with Paul Mann, Richard Schechner, and Uta Hagen, and trained at the Actors Studio in New York City.

Career

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Performing career

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Edery’s multilingual repertoire blends elements of flamenco, folk, jazz and classical music.[5][6]

Opera

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In the early part of his career, Edery appeared with regional opera companies in the United States. Some of his roles included Siroco in Emmanuel Chabrier’s L’étoile (Opéra Français de New York), Basilio in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia (Des Moines Metro Opera; Boston Opera), Tom in Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera (New Orleans Opera), Falstaff in Nicolai’s Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor (Opera Milwaukee), Crespel in Offenbach’s Les contes d’Hoffmann (Tulsa Opera), Kromow in Lehár’s The Merry Widow (Des Moines Metro Opera), the title role in Dominick Argento’s The Boor (Opera Ensemble of New York), and Orgon in Kirke Mechem’s Tartuffe (Lake George Opera).[4]

Notable performances

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  • 2025 - * Performances of Krzysztof Penderecki’s Kadisz at the Warsaw Philharmonic, the Kraków Philharmonic, and the Teatr Wielki in Warsaw, as well as at the Seoul International Music Festival (2014).[7][8]
  • 2024 – IIMAGINE Kazimierski Festiwal Bez Granic (Kazimierz Dolny, Poland) [9]
  • 2020 – XXI Festiwal Trzech Kultur (Włodawa, Poland) and Wielokulturowy Lublin (Poland).[10][11]
  • 2019 - Radom Chamber Orchestra (2018–19).[12]
  • 2019 and 2013 - Diaspora Festival, POLIN Museum (Warsaw, co-director).[15] The inaugural concert marking the museum’s opening.[16]
  • 2013 - Bydgoszcz Chamber Orchestra under José Florêncio with mezzo-soprano Małgorzata Pańko (2013).[20]
  • 2012, 2018 and 2021 - Zachor Festival in Białystok, Poland — including concerts of Sephardic songs in 2018 and the “Sephardic Soul Music” performance in 2021.[21][22]
  • 2010, 1999 - * Ashkenaz Festival in Toronto with his programme Spirit of Sepharad (2010).[23][24] and with Sons of Sepharad.[25]
  • 2006 – Spirit of Fes U.S. tour (Los Angeles – Royce Hall; New York – Carnegie Hall Zankel Hall; Philadelphia – Kimmel Center).[26][27]
  • 2003 – San Francisco Jewish Music Festival, presenting Music in the Land of Three Faiths with The Ivory Consort.[28]
  • 2002 – San Diego Jewish Arts Festival, presenting Music in the Land of Three Faiths.[29]
  • 2001 – Bevis Marks Synagogue tercentenary (London, UK) with Sons of Sepharad.[30][31]
  • 1994, 2018 – Fez Festival of World Sacred Music (Morocco, inaugural edition), appearing with Munir Bashir.[32] "24e Festival de Fès des Musiques Sacrées du Monde". Festival de Fès (in French). 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2025.</ref>
  • 1991 - * Concerts in Taiwan with pianist Rosetta Bacon in the programme Soirée du Monde, presented in Taipei, Taichung and Pingtung (March 1991).[34][35]

Special Collaborations and Projects

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  • Spirit of Sepharad: From Casbah to Caliphate — multimedia program on Sephardic history and music, co-created with Vivienne Roumani-Denn.[36]
  • Two Faiths, One Voice — developed with Lithuanian singer Marija Krupoves. Performed at Klaipėda Concert Hall (2011)[37] and Vilnius Bernardine Church (2014).[38]
  • Edery Sings Yupanqui — devoted to the repertoire of Argentine folk composer Atahualpa Yupanqui.[39]
  • The Minstrel & the Storyteller — collaboration with Peninnah Schram, combining oral tradition with music. Presented in the U.S. and Europe, including Jewish Museum Berlin (2013).[40]

Teaching and outreach

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Edery has been a featured artist in Carnegie Hall’s series and in educational outreach programs at the 92nd Street Y in New York.[41] He has also presented residencies and master classes internationally, including at St. Norbert College in Wisconsin and at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.[42]

Discography

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  • Romanzas Sefarditas (1991)
  • Opera Arias (1992)
  • Guitar, Give Me Your Song (1994)
  • Linda Amiga (1996)
  • Chansons d’Amour (1998)
  • Morena (1999)
  • The Minstrel & the Storyteller (1999, with Peninnah Schram)
  • Sing to the Eternal (2002)
  • The Sons of Sepharad (2002, with Aaron Bensoussan & Alberto Mizrahi)
  • Amid the Jasmine (2006)
  • Two Faiths One Voice (2008, with Marija Krupoves)
  • Dai de Cenar (2009)
  • Edery Sings Yupanqui (2012)
  • Shiru Hakadosh (2012)
  • Dance with Sepharad (2014)
  • Divine Rhythms: Spiritual World Music (2019)
Compilations
  • Best of Gerard Edery (2011/2012)
  • The Best of Gerard Edery, Vol. 2: Sephardic and Latin American Songs (2020)
Featured artist
  • The Ivory Consort: Music in the Land of Three Faiths (2003)

Publications

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  • The Gerard Edery Sephardic Songbook. Sefarad Publishing / Tara Publications, 2003. ISBN 0-9744175-0-5.[43]

Awards and honors

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Edery received the Sephardic Musical Heritage Award and a Meet the Composer grant for his original songs.[44][45]

Reception

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The New York Times called Edery "a master of Sephardic song," praising his "subtly detailed and well-sung performance."[46] The same review described his voice as "rich [and] forceful" and highlighted his ability to bring together Sephardic traditions with contemporary arrangements.[47] RootsWorld highlighted the "passionate and virtuoso musical experiences" of his recordings, noting the "sultry vocals and inventive instrumental textures."[48]

References

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  1. ^ "Gérard Edery – Discography". Official website. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  2. ^ Guisser, Salima (2 July 2018). "Entretien avec Gérard Edery: La musique est un langage universel". Aujourd’hui Le Maroc (in French). Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  3. ^ "Historique – Festival des Musiques Sacrées (Sacrées Journées)". Sacrées Journées de Strasbourg (in French). 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Gerard Edery". Stowarzyszenie im. Ludwiga van Beethovena (Impresariat) (in Polish). Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  5. ^ "Gérard Edery – Biography". Official website. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  6. ^ Goldman, Ari L. (16 November 1997). "Singing of Sephardic Jews' Rich Legacy". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  7. ^ "Warsaw Philharmonic – Penderecki Kaddish". Warsaw Philharmonic. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  8. ^ "Seoul International Music Festival, Penderecki Kaddish". Seoul International Music Festival. 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  9. ^ "IIMAGINE. Kazimierski Festiwal bez Granic 2024". Kazimierski Festiwal bez Granic (in Polish). 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  10. ^ "XXI Festiwal Trzech Kultur w Włodawie". Muzeum – Zespół Synagogalny we Włodawie (in Polish). 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  11. ^ "Wielokulturowy Lublin 2020". Centrum Kultury w Lublinie (in Polish). 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  12. ^ "Radom Chamber Orchestra – Concert archives". Radomska Orkiestra Kameralna. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  13. ^ "Pardes Festival 2019". Pardes Festival (in Polish). 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  14. ^ "Un dimanche avec de la musique sacrée de par le monde – Sacrées Journées Strasbourg". Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace (in French). 3 February 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  15. ^ "Diaspora Festival Gala: Many Voices, One Jewish Heart". POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  16. ^ "POLIN Museum inaugural concert". POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  17. ^ "Festival Internacional de Música Sefardí 2018 (brochure)" (PDF). Ayuntamiento de Córdoba (in Spanish). June 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  18. ^ "Siete grupos participarán en el Festival de Música Sefardí". El Día de Córdoba (in Spanish). 9 May 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  19. ^ "24e Festival de Fès des Musiques Sacrées du Monde". Festival de Fès (in French). 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  20. ^ "Bydgoszcz Chamber Orchestra – Concert programme". Bydgoszcz Chamber Orchestra. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  21. ^ "Białystok. XI Festiwal Kultury Żydowskiej "Zachor – Kolor i Dźwięk"". Virtual Shtetl. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  22. ^ "Radio Białystok: XIV Festiwal Kultury Żydowskiej "Zachor – Kolor i Dźwięk"". Radio Białystok. 6 June 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  23. ^ "Ashkenaz Festival programme (Spirit of Sepharad)". Rock Paper Scissors archive. 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  24. ^ (AshkenazFestival) Spirit of Sepharad at Ashkenaz Fest. 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2025. {{cite AV media}}: Check |url= value (help)
  25. ^ "Ashkenaz Festival 1999 Program". Ashkenaz Festival. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  26. ^ "So many ways to offer praise". Los Angeles Times. 28 October 2006. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  27. ^ "The Spirit of Fes — Zankel Hall (listing)". Carnegie Hall Open Data. 14 October 2006. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  28. ^ "SFJMF 2003 Program Archive". San Francisco Jewish Music Festival. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  29. ^ "Festival puts spotlight on Jewish arts". San Diego Union-Tribune. 7 June 2002. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  30. ^ "Bevis Marks Tercentenary Concerts (2–3 December 2001)" (PDF). Jewish Music Institute (SOAS) Newsletter. p. 3. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  31. ^ "Aaron Bensoussan". Milken Archive of Jewish Music. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  32. ^ "Fes and its Festival — History". Fes Festival of World Sacred Music. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  33. ^ "Festival Internacional Cervantino – Archivo Histórico". Festival Cervantino. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  34. ^ "台灣樂壇歷史迴廊：台灣演藝之父（下） - 音樂的宴響 世界音樂之夜 "SOIRÉE DU MONDE"". PeopleMedia (in Chinese). 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  35. ^ "音樂的宴響 世界音樂之夜 "SOIRÉE DU MONDE" – Gerard Edery & Rosetta Bacon (Taiwan tour dates: 22–25 March 1991)". Yahoo! Taiwan (in Chinese). 1991. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  36. ^ "The Spirit of Sepharad — program description". eSefarad. 2009. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  37. ^ ""Du tikėjimai, vienas balsas" Klaipėdoje". Bernardinai.lt (in Lithuanian). 13 May 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  38. ^ "Tikėjimo balsai – Šv. Velykų koncertas Bernardinų bažnyčioje". Bernardinai.lt (in Lithuanian). 24 April 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  39. ^ Orr, Tom (2012). "Gerard Edery – Edery Sings Yupanqui (review)". RootsWorld. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  40. ^ "Special Exhibitions and Cultural Program in July, August & September 2013". Jewish Museum Berlin. 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  41. ^ "About Gerard Edery – Educator credits". Official site. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  42. ^ "Edery performs in De Pere, Madison". Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  43. ^ Edery, Gerard (2003). The Gerard Edery Sephardic Songbook. Sefarad Publishing and Tara Publications. ISBN 0-9744175-0-5. OCLC 54456754.
  44. ^ "Artist Profiles: Gerard Edery". World Music Central. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  45. ^ "American Sephardi Federation – artist page". ASF. 27 August 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  46. ^ Holden, Stephen (16 November 1997). "Music Review; Singing of Sephardic Jews' Rich Legacy". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  47. ^ Goldman, Ari L. (16 November 1997). "Singing of Sephardic Jews' Rich Legacy". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  48. ^ Orr, Tom (2012). "Gerard Edery – Edery Sings Yupanqui (review)". RootsWorld. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
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