The Sun Valley Summer Symphony 2010 season has had many firsts. On Friday, Aug. 12, it continues that trend with the debut of renowned baritone Nathan Gunn. Gunn will sing a variety of classical opera music by Mozart and Rossini, as well as several American folk classics.
"I have never been to Sun Valley," Gunn said. "The symphony is a festival under the radar, which I love."
Gunn was the recipient of the first annual Beverly Sills Artist Award, and was recently awarded the Pittsburgh Opera Renaissance Award. He is an alumnus of the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artists Program and was the winner of the 1994 Metropolitan Opera National Council Competition. Gunn is also an alumnus of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where he is a professor of voice.
Gunn, the father of five children, has appeared in internationally renowned opera houses, such as the Metropolitan Opera. He has ventured outside the standard opera repertoire with appearances in semi-staged performances of "Camelot" with the New York Philharmonic, which was broadcast live on PBS's "Great Performances." In addition, he performed "Showboat" at Carnegie Hall.
"The world holds classical music close to its chest, but it's changing," Gunn said. "There is a lot of respect for the art form. In classical music, everything has happened before, and it is nice to try something new and a little bit different."
"The Lighter Side" evening with Gunn will take place at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 13. It will feature music by Mozart, Rossini and several traditional Americana songs including "Shenandoah," "Omaha Beach" and "American Anthem."
Gunn has been busy this summer traveling with his wife, Julie, from music festivals in Chicago to large free concerts in New York City's Central Park.
"It is great to travel all over the country and get to know more places," Gunn said. "I leave my schedule open so I can come to places like Sun Valley."
For complete symphony program information and concert dates, visit www.svsummersymphony.org or call (208) 622-5607.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Courtesy photo
Baritone Nathan Gunn will perform with the Sun Valley Summer Symphony on Friday, Aug. 13, for a concert on “The Lighter Side.”
