Following a two-week celebration of the Chinese New Year – lóng nián dàjí, or good luck in the Year of the Dragon – the Library offers a special Sunday afternoon presentation highlighting the beauty and broad range of Chinese folk songs.

Lyric soprano Eva Peng and pianist Anthony Olson immerse their audience in a tapestry of Chinese folk traditions as they traverse the country’s provinces during the unique lecture-recital. From the embroidery traditions of Yunnan to the jasmine flowers of Jiangsu, the featured selections paint a picture of cultural diversity.

The duo explores the fusion of Western influences with traditional Chinese music as seen in the works of early 20th-century composer Huang Zi.

Peng served for many years as the resident soprano soloist for the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in her native China. Since immigrating to the United States, she has appeared in numerous recitals and concerts including the Redlands (California) Bowl Summer Music Festival, America’s longest continuously running summer music fest, and American Liszt Society festivals. 

She also has taught as an adjunct voice instructor at Northwest Missouri State University and North Central Missouri College. 

Olson, a professor of music at Northwest Missouri State, is active as both a soloist and a chamber musician. He, too, has performed at the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival as well as in recitals at England’s Imperial College and Bournemouth University and at China’s Nanjing Conservatory, among other venues.