Make no mistake about it: Día de Muertos is very much a celebration of life and the spiritual cycle we all share. It is a joyful observance that revels in the reawakening of beloved souls. Rooted in pre-Columbian Aztec civilization, modern festivities reflect a fusion of indigenous religion with early Spanish Catholicism. Add in several centuries of transformation across Mexico and other adjacent cultures, and you arrive at the contemporary adaptation of ancient traditions.
For two days – All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2) – families and friends join to remember the souls of those who have passed on. Sacred customs of old have found new expression in both visual and performing arts. Music and dance take center stage amidst feasts and parades. Everywhere, dazzling décor creates a vivid backdrop for celebrants in elaborate, brightly colored finery. Walkways, windows, and doorways are festooned with colorful papel picado, while the fragrance of incense mixes with the aroma of baking pan de muerto.
Altars are decorated with vases, salt, and candles to represent water, earth, and fire. Skeletons and sugar skulls adorned with brilliant colors honor past generations while fearlessly acknowledging that eventually we are destined to gather again beyond the grave. In this panoramic celebration, every sensation of sight, sound, smell, and touch is tingled in some way, reminding us all to enjoy life to the fullest.
To bring the spirit of this experience to the concert hall, the Philharmonic has curated an exceptional program of music and dance. This fall, the Philharmonic proudly joins the Mexican Cultural Center in a musical salute to Día de los Muertos. Featuring two highly acclaimed performing arts companies, ArtistiCO Dance Company and Mariachi Sol de mi Tierra, the Philharmonic will be led by guest conductor Michelle Di Russo, known for her compelling interpretations and passionate musicality. The program will also showcase the extraordinary vocal talents of Arrari, whose confidence and artistry far surpass her years.
The evening promises to be an uplifting, toe-tapping, hand-clapping tribute to one of the oldest traditions in the New World.
