Visitors flocked to the LSU Museum of Art’s “River Views & Vibes” event on Thursday for a night of classical music and art in a relaxed atmosphere.
The event was the second of a three-part series taking place throughout August, October and December. Each installment features different musicians from Magnolia Strings, an ensemble of solo and chamber musicians.
This month’s event featured Duo Cintemani, with Rachel Taratoot Ciraldo on the flute and Nicholas Ciraldo on the guitar.
“Duo Cintemani is a husband and wife duo that pairs flute and guitar, which is a pretty unique combination,” LSU MOA communications coordinator Brandi Simmons said. “They [performed] a wide range of music, including pieces from Indian, Romanian and Spanish composers alongside some American works with blues and jazz influences.”
The duo has performed at the Hampden-Sydney Music Festival, Pelican State Chamber Series and FestivalSouth, according to a LSU MOA news release. They were prizewinners at the 2004 Flute Association Chamber Music Competition and semifinalists at the 2006 Gaettano Zinetti Chamber Music Competition in Italy. They were also featured artists at the Simposio academico de violão, in Curitiba, Brazil.
LSU MOA hosts an after-hours event on the third Thursday of each month, with a new theme each time. As part of this tradition, “River Views & Vibes” offers attendees a venue to soak up local art through various media and views of the Mississippi River and the downtown Baton Rouge skyline.
“River Views & Vibes” acts as a “wonderful opportunity” to showcase the museum’s current exhibitions, ‘Painting Enlightenment’ and the reinstallation of the permanent collection, ‘Art in Louisiana: Views into the Collection,’ Simmons said.
“Painting Enlightenment: Experiencing Wisdom and Compassion through Art and Science” features works by Japanese scientist and artist Iwasaki Tsuneo. “Art in Louisiana: Views into the Collection” provides an overview of fine and decorative art from the 1700s to the present, including New Orleans-made silver, portraiture, landscapes, Newcomb pottery and modern art.
In addition to the Duo Cintemani performance, guests sampled hors d’oeuvres from Capital City Grill and cocktails from Rank Wildcat Spirits. Capital City Grill, a longtime partner of the museum, offered attendees 15 percent off dinner following the event.
“This is a perfect happy hour with friends or start to your date night,” Simmons said. “For $15, you can listen to live music, sample a cocktail or two and see the current and ongoing exhibitions in the museum before taking in a scenic view of the sunset on the Mississippi River from the museum lobby.”
For LSU MOA members, admission was only $10.
The first event of the series, held in August, featured a string trio showcasing Baroque and classical music. Performers for the third and final part of the series, which will be holiday-themed and take place Dec. 8, have yet to be determined.
Sterling silver goblets, pitchers and other silverware on display in the LSU Museum of Art on Thursday Oct. 20, 2016, in the Shaw Center for the River Views & Vibes event.
