Internationally acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning baritone Nathan Gunn will inaugurate his artist-in-residence series in September with the Department of Music at the University of Notre Dame.
Gunn, a South Bend native, will spend one week each semester for the next four years teaching Notre Dame vocal students, visiting classes, coaching students as they prepare for OperaND’s annual performances and participating in public colloquia with faculty.
“Nathan Gunn is an artist of international stature, arguably the leading male vocalist of his generation performing today in the world of opera. Any university — including those housing the most renowned schools of music — would be overjoyed to welcome him as artist-in-residence for an extended number of years,” said Peter Smith, chair of the Department of Music. “Nathan’s visits will, of course, greatly enhance the artistic life of the campus through his collaborations with our faculty in public performances and scholarly colloquia. What is even more impressive, however, is the enrichment he will offer our students through voice lessons, classroom guest lectures and coaching of OperaND students.”
To mark the first week of his residency, Gunn will perform an innovative concert for the public at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 (Wednesday) in the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center’s Leighton Auditorium. The audience will be seated on stage with Gunn to create an intimate atmosphere.
In “The Art of Song and a Life in Music: A Conversation and Performance with Nathan Gunn and Pianist John Blacklow,” Gunn will share reflections on his life in music and his repertoire, which ranges from art song to opera, to the American songbook, cabaret and works of contemporary composers.
“My life in music began in South Bend. I love the town and the University of Notre Dame. To be able to share what I’ve learned traveling the world as a musician is something I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m grateful for this opportunity,” Gunn said.
In addition to discussing his musical journey during the concert, Gunn will perform with pianist John Blacklow, an associate professor in Notre Dame’s Department of Music. There will also be time for dialogue with the audience. A reception with the artists will immediately follow the performance.
Tickets for the Sept. 10 performance are $10 and may be purchased by calling the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center ticket office at 574-631-2800 or visiting performingarts.nd.edu.
Contact: Brittany Collins, Public Relations, 574-631-6335, collins.189@nd.edu
Originally published by at news.nd.edu on August 11, 2014.