June 26 and 27, 2009 at 7.30pm, Dominican University Performing Arts Center, River Forest, IL.

An 800th anniversary is somewhat rare. To celebrate the milestone of the founding of the Franciscan Order, Chiesa Nuova, a not-for-profit Franciscan ministry for the performing arts in Chicago will present “A Celebration of Hope and Peace” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27 at Lund Auditorium in the Performing Arts Center, Dominican University, 7900 Division St., River Forest, IL. Performing will be world-renowned bass-baritone Alan Held, mezzo-soprano Stacy Eckert, the Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra, and the 40-voice New Classic Singers.

The concert will consist of three major works: Prayer for Peace by Chicagoan Fr. Robert Hutmacher, O.F.M., Five Mystical Songs by Ralph Vaughn Williams, and Dialogue of Francis and Clare by Fr. Hutmacher. The featured work will be the oratorio Dialogue of Francis and Clare, which tells the story of a period after Francis experienced the Stigmata in 1224, a story of healing and mystical prayer between two people consumed by the love of God.

The story of this work is Fr. Hutmacher’s interpretation of one of the world’s classic stories of a love rooted in God, medieval mystique, and human passion for life. “’Dialogue of Francis and Clare’ may help the listener to discover our common journey to God,” said Fr. Hutmacher.

Tickets are $40 - 50. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Lund Auditorium box office at 708-488-5000 or visit their website.