MUSICIAN CELSO DUARTE TO PERFORM AT RINGLING MUSEUM’S
HISTORIC ASOLO THEATER, MAY 4, 2012
Sarasota, FL — April 12, 2012 — Following his recent appearances at Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center Paraguayan and Mexican harp and violin virtuoso Celso Duarte brings his Ensemble to Sarasota on the eve of the 150th anniversary of Cinco de Mayo. The stage is set for their unique “one performance only” evening of music, Friday, May 4, at 8 p.m. in the Historic Asolo Theater at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. All seats are $15.00. Celso Duarte’s performance at the Ringling Museum is the first engagement resulting from a new collaboration between the Museum and the Mexican Consulate.
Mixing different styles Celso Duarte performs a variety of musical genres from traditional Latin folk and improvisational jazz to Spanish baroque and African music. The singers, percussionists, strings, and other instrumentalists weave through these styles with passionate conviction creating fresh new sounds.
“As the State Art Museum of Florida, the Ringling is a museum for people of all backgrounds and cultures,” said Steven High, executive director of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. “Mindful of our mission to reflect the diversity of our community, we are developing programming of interest to our growing Latino population. Celso Duarte is one of those rare artists with a distinctive musical style. Drawing from his roots in Mexico and South America he’s created a unique sound that has universal appeal.”
The production is a continuum of the Ringling Museum’s Art of Our Time. This initiative showcases contemporary artists from around the world who are profoundly influencing modern art.
“The Consulate of Mexico in Orlando is pleased to partner with like-minded arts organizations, such as the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, that share an interest in presenting fine art and culture from Mexico in their local community,” remarked Alberto Fierro, Consul of Mexico in Orlando. “Celso Duarte is exceptionally gifted at playing the Mexican Jarocha harp, a wooden harp with 32 to 36 strings tuned diatonically over five octaves that originated in Veracruz. The music he makes is melodic and soulful.”
Celso Duarte who also plays the Paraguayan harp and Celtic harp is the descendant of a musical tradition full of cultural richness. He has participated in festivals in the U.S, Mexico, Europe and Japan. He has also shared the stage with Lila Downs, Wynton Marsalis, Mercedes Sosa, Martirio, Mariza, Susana Baca, Joe Vasconcellos, Julieta Venegas and Celso Piña among others.
To purchase tickets, visit ringling.org or call 941-360-7399.