Faculty and Friends Concert to celebrate Chinese New Year

The Department of Music will present a Faculty and Friends Concert on Monday, Feb. 8, featuring Associate Professor of Voice Brian Arreola. The program, which takes place on Chinese New Year’s Day, is a celebration of music by Asian and Asian-American composers, with songs sung in Chinese, Korean, Japanese and English.

Performing with Arreola, a tenor, will be guest artists Kelvin Chan, baritone; Wei-En Hsu, piano; Kari Giles, violin; and UNC Charlotte Associate Professor of Cello Mira Frisch.

Based in New York City, Chan is the artistic director of Vital Opera and works as a freelance singer. He has been featured with the Houston Grand Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Opera Theater of Pittsburgh and others.

Pianist Hsu, winner of the 2010 Los Angeles International Liszt Piano Competition, is on the faculty of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Giles, a violinist, is assistant concertmaster of the Charlotte Symphony.

Arreola is director of the Department of Music Opera Workshop and a frequent performer on opera stages at home and abroad. Most recently, he performed the role of Tybalt in Opera Carolina’s production of “Romeo & Juliet.”

The Feb. 8 concert is set for 7:30 p.m. in the Rowe Arts Building, Recital Hall. Tickets are $18 for general admission; $12 for UNC Charlotte faculty, staff and alumni; $10 for seniors; and $8 for students. They can be purchased at the door or in advance online or by calling 704-687-1849.