Adam A. Steg, Médaille d’Or du Mérite Francophone

Adam Steg was born and raised in New Orleans, with artist/ educator parents. As a child. he lived in Europe and Mexico and studied in New York, Strasbourg and Paris.

Working as audiovisual attaché since 1979, he has endeavored to use new technologies to celebrate the cultures of Louisiana and the francophone world. His popular internet service frenchmedia.org and his workshops train teachers and students how to access websites offering thousands of authentic documents available free or at low cost.

Remarkably generous with his time and expertise, since 1979 Mr. Steg has responded to requests to present at meetings of all kinds or simply to help a colleague (in any city) solve a technical problem. Maintaining a long-term commitment to education in the field of technology and media, Mr. Steg has become the reliable source for supporting the appreciation of French language and cultures through media and technology in the United States.

His honors include being decorated as Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques by the French Ministry of Education, and being named lifetime member of the American Association of Teachers of French.

Hugh Macdonald, La Médaille d’Or du Rayonnement Culturel

Hugh Macdonald is Avis H. Blewett Professor of Music at Washington University in St. Louis. Before coming to the U.S. in 1987, he taught at the universities of Cambridge, Oxford, and Glasgow. He has also taught at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. He was general editor of the 26 volumes of Berlioz’s music, the New Berlioz Edition, a series completed in 2006, and has published editions of Alkan, Lalo, and Chabrier. He organized the world première of Lalo’s opera Fiesque at the 2006 Montpellier Festival.

He is a contributing editor of the eight volumes of the Berlioz Correspondance générale, completed in 2002. He has published books on Scriabin and Berlioz, and a collection of essays entitled Beethoven’s Century appeared in May 2008. He is currently working on a catalogue of the works of Georges Bizet. He is a regular pre-concert speaker for the St. Louis, Cleveland, and Boston Symphony Orchestras, and has provided singing translations of opera for companies in London, Leeds, Glasgow, Los Angeles, and St. Louis.

Professor Macdonald enjoys a widespread reputation for his expertise and his willingness to help others find and enjoy the richness of French music.