Eugene Friesen, cello, performs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 18, 2007, in Bonner Auditorium, Fresno Art Museum, 2233 N. First St. Admission is $10 for general audiences, $7 for students and senior citizens. Advance ticket sales have been strong, so reservations are strongly encouraged. Call the FPU Music Office at 559-453-2267.
A graduate of the Yale School of Music, Friesen's distinctive and personal playing style has touched audiences worldwide for 25 years. In 1995 and 2006 Friesen won Grammys for the Paul Winter Consort albums Spanish Angel and Silver Solstice. He has also worked and recorded with such diverse artists as Dave Brubeck, Toots Thielemans, Betty Buckley, Will Ackerman, Philip Aaberg and Dream Theater. An interest in children and music education led Friesen to create a program for young audiences, CelloMan. Friesen is an artist-in-residence at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, and is on the faculty of the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
The Pacific Artist Series offers two more events for 2006-2007, culminating in a full production of Fiddler on the Roof in the spring. The remaining performances are Alan Durst, saxophone, and Corey Whitehead, guitar, Friday, February 9, in Bonner Auditorium; and Fiddler, March 23, 24, 30 and 31, at FPU.