Martin Fondse Voice Orchestra

Faces of Earth | Diamonds

The return of colonial jewelry is a contemporary topic. These pieces are often tied to the history of diamond mining and trade during the colonial era. The wealth of one comes at the expense of another. Faces of Earth | Diamonds tells a controversial story of brilliance and power.

Martin Fondse Voice Orchestra 

A hybrid ensemble comprising six women and five men, featuring inspiring new musicians alongside a few familiar players. A balance of experience and emerging talent, complemented by the authentic Norwegian saxophonist Trygve Seim with a unique style and sound. The music blends composition and improvisation, engaging with contemporary issues.

The women’s group Vox Sturnus adds a powerful new dimension to the orchestra’s music through the use of text. With contemplative and sharp commentary, and poetry from writers like Shakespeare (e.g., “My crown is in my heart, not on my head, Not decked with diamonds and Indian stones” from Henry the Sixth), they perform like the chorus in a Greek tragedy.

The ensemble’s flexibility—nearly every singer also plays an instrument, and all musicians are multi-instrumental—creates an endless palette of colors and sounds. 

Originally, Faces of Earth | Diamonds was commissioned by Bimhuis, Amsterdam.

Martin Fondse – piano, Fender Rhodes, vibrandoneon
Miguel Boelens – alto sax, bass clarinet
Eric van der Westen – double bass
Romain Bly – French horn, Drums

Vox Sturnus:

Margriet Sjoerdsma – vocals
Maaike van der Linde – vocals, flute, bass flute
Julia Werner – vocals
Anne-Marie Roel Messerschmidt – vocals
Thora Sveinsdottir – vocals, viola
Annie Tangberg – vocals, cello

Special Guest:

Trygve Seim – tenor, soprano sax