New Portrait of Maestro Carmon DeLeone Unveiled at Music Hall

Samson’s Portrait of Maestro Carmon DeLeone Unveiled at Music Hall to Celebrate DeLeone’s 50 Years as Music Director

Cincinnati, OH -- 11 December '18 -- Cincinnati-based artist Carl J. Samson’s oil portrait of Maestro Carmon DeLeone was unveiled recently in a pre-performance reception at historic Music Hall. Commissioned by the Cincinnati Ballet to commemorate the maestro’s 50th season as Music Director, Samson’s painting shows a tuxedoed DeLeone captured mid-conducting with baton held high. Artist Carl Samson worked closely with DeLeone and ballet administration to conceive and paint an image which displayed Carmon’s exuberance. This end result was praised as a “masterpiece” and “a stunning portrayal of Carmon’s spirit.” One patron commented, “It is so full of energy and excitement - perfect. I can see how the twinkle in his eye and the welcoming nature of his portrait would increase the happy anticipation of those arriving to see a performance.” At the Music Hall portrait unveiling, Cincinnati Ballet CEO Scott Altman and Artistic Director Victoria Morgan gave congratulatory words beforehand, and Cincinnati Ballet patrons Margaret & Michael Valentine and Maestro DeLeone unveiled the portrait to considerable applause. Afterwards, DeLeone gave a short speech acknowledging his thrill in joining Music Hall’s timeline of famed conductors. The 40” x 30” framed painting now hangs in Music Hall’s north hallway alongside those of other notable Cincinnati conductors.

This portrait of Maestro DeLeone is the fourth painting by Carl Samson to hang at the famed Music Hall performance venue. His other three Music Hall portraits are of the late arts patrons Patricia Corbett and J. Ralph Corbett (which hang outside the Corbett Tower) and former Cincinnati Opera Artistic Director Jim DeBlasis (which hangs across from that of Maestro DeLeone). Artist Samson is a repeat winner at the National Portrait Competition, has served as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the former American Society of Portrait Artists, and was a Distinguished Guest of Honor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Clients include director George Lucas, Procter & Gamble and other businesses and entities, art organizations, museums and collectors worldwide. Samson resides in Milford and works and exhibits in a historic 1887 Queen Anne house near the Cincinnati Art Museum that was once the home and studio of Herman and Bessie Wessel, students of artist Frank Duveneck. He continues to welcome both public and private commissions. For more information on artist Carl Samson and his work, visit https://www.carlsamson.com or phone (513) 751-9953.

Maestro Carmon DeLeone has been Music Director for the Cincinnati Ballet for 50 years. A man of many accomplishments, he also served as Music Director for The Middletown (OH) Symphony, Conductor Laureate of The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, and guest conductor throughout the US and Europe. To learn more about Maestro Carmon DeLeone visit https://www.cballet.org/staff/carmon-deleone/ The Cincinnati Ballet was founded in 1963 and with a company of 27 talented dancers, performs worldwide and locally at Music Hall and the Aronoff Center for the Arts.

The Cincinnati Ballet was founded in 1963 and with a company of 27 talented dancers, performs worldwide and locally at Music Hall and the Aronoff Center for the Arts. For more information on the Cincinnati Ballet visit https://www.cballet.org or call (513) 621-5219.