CF Appleton Museum of Art Announces Maharajah Flamenco Trio Concert and Composer-in-Residence Program

The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, is pleased to announce a performance by the award-winning Maharajah Flamenco Trio on Sept. 15, 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $30; cash bar available. Tickets can be purchased at AppletonMuseum.org or in person at the museum’s Visitor Services desk.

The Sept. 15 performance will include the world premiere of their newest song, “Escucha el Mar (Listen to the Sea),” an original composition by the trio’s classical and flamenco guitarist Silviu Ciulei. After their well-attended performance at the Appleton Museum of Art earlier this year, Appleton director Jason Steuber invited Ciulei to become the inaugural composer-in-residence for the museum. In spring 2022, the musician spent time in the museum visiting the artworks and found inspiration in a bronze sculpture called “Neapolitan Fisherboy,” c. 1860, by Jean Baptiste Carpeaux (French, 1827-1875).

The sculpture, on view in the museum’s second-floor European galleries, depicts an adolescent boy holding up a conch shell to his ear. On his object of inspiration, Ciulei says, “After the last couple of years we have had, I wanted to choose something positive. When looking at the artwork and thinking about the text for the vocals, I knew I could do so much more just by involving this teenage boy listening to the sea. Maybe he is remembering a person he loves, or his love at home, or the love of his parents. The inspirational options are so many that it allows me to play with words and ideas when figuring out the lyrics.”

Adding a composer-in-residence is another way the museum is carrying out Arthur Appleton’s vision, Steuber explained.

“Silviu was the ideal fit for the composer in residence program’s inaugural artist as he and the Maharajah Flamenco Trio are global citizen musicians and educators with ties to Florida and the Appleton,” Steuber said. “Mr. Appleton’s vision for the museum to be a place for art for all aligns with this multidisciplinary program.”

The September concert will be the first opportunity for museum visitors to experience new music inspired by art.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to kick off of our Composer-in-Residence program than by working with our friends Maharajah Flamenco Trio,” said Assistant Director Victoria Billig. “We hope you’ll join us on Sept. 15 for what will absolutely be an inspirational and heartfelt performance by these Global Music Award winners.”

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.