San Francisco Symphonic Orchestra and the “Dia De Los Muertos” 2024

Conversation with musician and curator Marta Rodriguez Salazar

Posted on October 23, 2024 by isajubes in Arts, Music, Sports and Entertainment, Radio Show "Atenea Americana", SHOW ENG // 0 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I’m thrilled to introduce a very special guest and longtime friend of our show, Martha Rodríguez-Salazar, a brilliant artist whose contributions to the Bay Area’s music scene over the past 20 years have been nothing short of transformative. Martha is a true Renaissance woman—an acclaimed singer, flutist, conductor, and producer who has brought Latin American folk, classical, and contemporary music to new audiences. Her dedication to her craft and her culture has earned several recognitions, including being named a “Luminary” by the Mexican Consulate in San Francisco and “Excelencia Latina” by LAM and Mundo Fox.

For those who have followed her career, Martha is not just an extraordinary musician but also a powerful advocate for community engagement. She serves as Director of several Neighborhood Choirs for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities, and leads the Coro de Cámara and Mariachi CMC. Her passion for inclusivity through music has transformed how people from diverse backgrounds connect with the arts.

Today, we’re especially excited to talk about her long-standing work with the San Francisco Symphony, where she curates the annual Día de los Muertos event—a vibrant celebration that brings together art, music, and culture to honor one of the most cherished traditions in Latin America.

Each year, Martha curates this magnificent event at Davies Symphony Hall, and it’s much more than a concert—it’s an immersive cultural experience. The Día de los Muertos celebration at the Symphony brings to life the essence of this ancient holiday, a time when we honor those who have passed while celebrating life in all its vibrancy. Martha’s ability to weave together the traditional with the contemporary has made this event a must-see for both music lovers and those wanting to connect with the rich cultural heritage of Latin America.

This year’s event, in particular, holds a special focus: Catrinas—those iconic skeletal figures dressed in elegant, ornate gowns that have become a symbol of Día de los Muertos. But there’s much more to these figures than meets the eye. Martha has curated a dynamic concert and event program that explores the historical and cultural significance of Catrinas, and their relationship with three iconic figures in Mexican art and culture—Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and José Guadalupe Posada.

Posada, the famous illustrator and engraver, first created the Catrina figure as a satirical commentary on the social and political conditions of his time. His work, often featuring skeletons in everyday situations, was meant to remind people that in death, we are all equal. This theme resonated deeply with the Mexican Revolution, and the Catrina figure soon became a powerful symbol of the holiday, representing the blending of indigenous and European influences that shaped modern Mexico. The ties between Posada’s Catrinas and the art of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo are profound—both Rivera and Kahlo incorporated themes of death and the afterlife into their work, exploring the intersection of life, death, and identity in ways that have become iconic. So, the visual art installation will draw on the connection between these three artists and their work. Then, the installation celebrates Catrinas not only as a symbol of Día de los Muertos but as a reflection of Mexican culture, art, and history.

The concert will feature a mix of traditional music with contemporary works, highlighting the rich heritage of the holiday while also honoring its evolving role in modern society. Special guest soloists and composers will join the San Francisco Symphony to bring this theme to life, offering audiences a chance to experience the intersection of music, art, and cultural history in a truly unique way.

Festivities begin early in the day, with art installations and altars created by local artists. The altars will reflect the intricate traditions of the holiday, each one telling a unique story through the use of color, symbolism, and offerings to honor loved ones who have passed. For families, there’s a variety of hands-on activities—kids can decorate sugar skulls, and make tissue flowers, among other.

For those looking to embrace the full Día de los Muertos experience, Davies Symphony Hall will be offering festive refreshments throughout that day, including skull-shaped cookies and a custom cocktail inspired by the holiday. Visitors can peruse this thought-provoking collection from September 19th through November 2nd, adding yet another layer of depth to the celebration. The entire day is designed to be an immersive experience that engages all the senses.

As we sit down to talk with Martha, we’ll talk about her journey as a musician and cultural curator, explore the inspirations behind this year’s Día de los Muertos program, and discuss the importance of preserving and evolving cultural traditions in a way that honors the past while embracing the future. Listen to the show to get more details about this event, its story and the institutions behind it.

As usual, thank you for listening to our show “Atenea Americana” as part of my effort at Stanford Hispanic Broadcasting. You can listen to all our shows here or on your favorite podcast apps. You can help to make programs like this possible by leaving your comments, subscribing to our website and podcast channels, following us, sharing links, contributing with your ideas or materials, sharing our social networks, and more. Remember to check our “Contribute” to learn more.