As Fontana Chamber Arts kicked off its 25th anniversary season, audiences were treated to a truly unique opening night. In a recent Let's Hear It segment on WMUK, host Cara Lieurance sat down with Fontana’s new Executive Director, Dr. Sophié van der Westhuizen, and Kalamazoo native Cullen O'Neill, co-founder of the acclaimed period-instrument ensemble, Relic.
The interview explores the inspiration behind Relic's performance of The Blood of the Rose, a dramatic program rooted in the very first opera performed in the Americas in 1701. Listeners get an inside look at how the conductorless ensemble navigated this fast-paced, deeply emotional narrative, which seamlessly wove together Spanish and Latin American Baroque music with works by anonymous mestizo and Indigenous composers. Adding to the energy of the evening, Relic was joined by a percussionist for the first time, bringing an entirely new dynamic to the stage.
It is a fascinating glimpse into the artistry, teamwork, and storytelling that took over the Dalton Center Recital Hall on October 2nd.
To hear more about how this innovative performance came together and get a sneak peek at the rest of our 25th-anniversary lineup, listen to the full interview on WMUK:
