The Emmy-Award winning Santa Monica College Opera Theatre will present Sue Ann Pinner & Friends -- A Tribute to Walter Ducloux, a special benefit program, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at Christ the King Church, 624 N. Rossmore in Hollywood. The special concert is also part of SMC's yearlong celebration of its 75th anniversary.

Among the performers will be Sue Ann Pinner SMC Opera Theatre artistic director and voice professor who has sung at numerous diocesan events over the past 20 years. "I'm very excited about this program because this is an opportunity to pay homage to my mentor and teacher, Walter Ducloux, who was a remarkable man and arguably the most influential person in creating opera workshops in academia in this country," said Pinner.

On the program will be Schumann's "Widmug," which was sung at Ducloux's wedding and funeral; a variety of operatic duets featuring Pinner with baritone Edward Meza, as well as Catherine Mann, lyric mezzo soprano; and selections from Pinner's CD "Adoremus," including Schubert's "Ave Maria," which has been nominated for three United Catholic Musicians and Video Association's 2004 Unity Awards. In addition, the program will include "Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep," which will be released on Pinner's new CD in 2005.

Ducloux a Swiss-born conductor, stage director and teacher, died in 1997 at the age of 83. He was assistant conductor to Arturo Toscanini and, following his war-time service in Military Intelligence, including a stint as interpreter for General George Patton, he served as head of the Czech National Opera in Prague and worked with the music programs of the Voice of America. Following the war, he moved to Los Angeles where he built the opera program at USC, and later moved to Austin to head the opera program at the University of Texas.

Tickets are $16. Call (310) 434-3000.