Opera Star Nathan Gunn's Latest Release Is a Departure

July 31, 2007 — -- Acclaimed operatic baritone Nathan Gunn has performed in many of the world's most prestigious opera houses including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera and the Theatre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, Belgium.

Gunn, who made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1995, has released a new solo called "Just Before Sunrise."

With it, he takes a departure from his critically acclaimed opera work. Gunn said he wanted to try more contemporary music to make his work more accessible to a wider audience.

"I wanted to communicate and break down the walls," he said. "The way music is presented in recitals today, it's very old-fashioned. You stand there in a suit and the audience has to know what to wear, when to clap. That even keeps my own family from coming sometimes. I wanted this to be music written by people who are living."

A quest to find an intersection of musical theater and pop was the genesis of his project. He said he wanted music people could listen to in the context of modern life, while commuting to work or ending their day.

"I wanted it to be in their language," he said.

If he liked the song or its lyrics, he tried it out.

"That's how you end up with songs by Tom Waits, Billy Joel on this CD," Gunn said.

The collection of romantic and intimate songs arrives in stores Aug. 7.

Gunn, who has attracted some rabid online groupies, said the new disc isn't aimed at opera fans.

"I think opera needs to be experienced in theater," he said. "People go to the opera for the communal experience and unamplified sound. It's very personal. I don't necessarily like listening to opera on recordings. With this CD, I thought I might move some of the opera audience to a different repertoire."

Gunn believes his latest effort partly was inspired by his family. The father of five is married to a University of Illinois professor, who also writes and performs songs.

"I've seen her hide in a closet just to try to get a little quiet time away from 'Mommy this' and 'Mommy that,'" he said. "So this CD was designed to create that space. It's meant for people who've loved and lost. It's not music for 20-somethings. It's for adults who want quality."

In September, Gunn will sing the role of Mercutio in "Romeo et Juliette" at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He'll be conducted by one of opera's greatest stars Placido Domingo, but said he feels no additional pressure.

"[Domingo] says it's so much easier to conduct because your back's to the audience," Gunn said. "He knows what singers go through."