Not the First Trip to the Mission for Gala Headliner

Opera singer Robert Gilfry first witnessed the ongoing restoration process at a few years ago.

The trip was spurred by his sister's college roommate, John Griswold, who owns a company that specializes in the conservation of cultural heritage materials. A few years ago, Griswold was taking part in an effort that began in 2008 to restore an iconic statue of , the Catholic priest who in the 1770s founded California's mission system.

Griswold was commissioned to construct a new cross to be mounted behind the 98-year-old statue of Father Serra. The original crucifix was lost in 1928 while it was moved around the mission's grounds.

Now, the statue, with its cross, stands in front of San Juan Capistrano's . Gilfry will return there Sept. 16 for a gala to benefit future restoration work. "I'm interested in history. It’s part of my work—I'm constantly doing research on the people and times of an opera."

The two-time Grammy nominee, who lives in Rancho Cucamonga, will perform at the ruins of the Great Stone Church, part of which tumbled to pieces in the deadly earthquake of 1812. Most recently, Gilfry played the title role in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.

"It will be romantic, and it will be funny. There will be standards from musicals, from operas, a couple of jazz standards, a country tune," he said of the forthcoming performance.

"I'll also be playing guitar, and, of course we’ll do the obligatory 'When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano.' "

This year's event, named Romance of the Mission, aims to raise money specifically .

The Rev. Monsignor Arthur A. Holquin in May was named honorary chair of the gala. In 2003, Holquin was appointed by Bishop Tod Brown  rector and pastor at Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano, serving as the 34th successor of Junipero Serra.

The black tie affair begins at 6 p.m.

For tickets, contact Barb Beier at 949-234-1323, bbeier@missionsjc.com, or visit missionsjc.com.