Operatic tenor Vincent McPherson, a 2015 graduate of Elmhurst College, will lend his voice to a good cause when he takes center stage on July 26 to perform at “A Night at the Opera,” an event to benefit Lazarus House, a non-profit that provides shelter and support services for people in crisis.
McPherson, 27, said he is looking forward to singing for such a great cause. Though opera is his first love, McPherson also performs in other genres, including musical theater and jazz. His most recent credits include La Bohème at the Miami Music Festival and excerpts from Les Misérables with the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra. The Glen Ellyn resident also has given solo performances at the Great Lakes Music Festival (Friendship Lasts Forever), and with the Wheaton Symphony Orchestra (Easy to Love).
A music business major at Elmhurst College, McPherson credits his major with helping him to develop skills as a performer while also arming him with the knowledge he needs to manage his career.
“It was kind of a perfect marriage,” he said. “I love to perform, but you have to have an understanding of business to succeed.”
He also liked Elmhurst’s small class sizes, and the personal attention he received from his professors in the music department.
“They had a lot of knowledge to share,” he said. “They were the most compassionate and caring people. They were there to help students get to where they wanted to go.”
McPherson’s goal is to continue to broaden his performance experiences. “I’d like to travel the world as a guest artist at different opera houses,” he said.
Meanwhile, organizers of the Lazarus House fundraiser are impressed with what McPherson already has accomplished, and are looking forward to his performance later this month.
“He’s already done so many interesting things at such a young age,” said Darlene Riebe, fundraising coordinator for Lazarus House. Lazarus House operates an emergency shelter, the Center for Transitional Living, and an outreach program that serves men, women and children in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and western Kane County.
“A Night at the Opera” begins at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, at Villa Verone, 416 Hamilton St., in Geneva. Seating is limited. Tickets are $50 each, and the price includes dinner. To purchase tickets, call Lazarus House at (630) 587-2144 or visit lazarushouse.net/special-events. One hundred percent of the ticket sale proceeds will benefit Lazarus House.