The dynamic duo of the opera world baritone Nathan Gunn and coloratura soprano Elizabeth Futral will join together for an intimate evening of tender tones and soaring sounds at Dominican University’s Annual Trustee Benefit Concert that will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 14 in the university’s Lund Auditorium, 7900 W. Division St. River Forest.
 

For the past three decades the concert has featured the best talent in classical music, such as Renee Fleming, Isaac Stern and Marilyn Horne, coming together to raise money for the university’s scholarship fund.
 

“This concert really makes a signiifigant difference in students being able to stay in school, particularly in this economy with the loss of family jobs and state funding,” said Donna Carroll, university president.  “My hope is this concert will bring in a quarter of a million dollars to get distributed to students in the next year.”
 

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of bringing world class music to River Forest started by Chancellor Sr. Candida Lund and John Juira, Carroll attributes the longevity of the events to the groups of people who love the arts, believe in the institution and want to make a contribution to the lives of the students.

And because the event offers a chance to see some of opera’s most beloved talents, like Gunn and Futral, out of costume and engaging with the audience, new patrons are drawn to the concert each year.

Considered one of opera’s “barihunks,” Gunn was named one of People Magazine’s 2008 sexiest Men Alive. In between headlining operas throughout the U.S. and teaching at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he lives with his wife and five children, he said playing intimate recitals like this one is a chance to connect with the audience in a more personal way while hopefully dispelling stuffy stereotypes relating to opera.

“Saying you are not into opera is like saying you don't like music,” Gunn said.
“It is the old world heavy metal—a bunch of rock ‘n’ roll stars open their mouths and scream stories all about sex, revenge and betrayal—it’s great stuff.”

He is also excited to team up with raven-haired beauty Futral. They performed last spring in Houston Grand Opera’s production of André Previn’s “Brief Encounter." But Gunn said the personal high note for him is the opportunity to contribute in his unique way to someone else’s education. 

“The arts are a beautiful thing, “ Gunn said. “To contribute money to help someone cre-ate something is incredibly beautiful—it feeds the soul. It is a good thing.”

The event will also honor local patrons of the arts with the Bravo Award. This year’s re-cipient will be presented to Welz Kaufman, president and CEO of Ravinia.

Tickets for the benefit concert are $55 and $75, and $350 for the concert and gala. For more information, go to www.dom.edu/benefit or call 708- 488-5000.

By Elizabeth Vassolo | TribLocal.com reporter