Fata Morgana holds a special place in playOUT!’s history as our very first commissioned work. The piece was born from an intimate and vulnerable collaboration between cellist David, poet Alejandra, and composer Matthew. Early in the process, David and Alejandra met to share conversations about their personal journeys — exploring the complexities of faith, queerness, identity, and mental health. From those exchanges, Alejandra crafted a text that gave voice to both shared and individual struggles.

With this text as inspiration, Matthew composed Fata Morgana with David’s cello playing in mind, writing a part that blurs the line between voice and instrument, fragility and strength. The result is a haunting and introspective work that feels both deeply personal and universal, giving sound to the invisible landscapes of grief, doubt, and resilience.

Named after a rare and shifting mirage, Fata Morgana reflects the elusive, layered nature of identity and belonging. This commission marks not only a milestone for playOUT!, but also a testament to the power of queer artistry in creating space for honest, difficult, and beautiful conversations through music.