POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose name appears
below nominates, constitutes and appoints Bruce N. Alpert and James E. McKee
(with full power to each of them to act alone) his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, for him and on his behalf and in his place and
stead in any and all capacities, to make execute and sign all amendments and
supplements to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 under the Securities Act
of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 of THE GABELLI UTILITY TRUST
(the "Trust"), and to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and
any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the offer and sale of
shares of beneficial interest, par value $.001 per share, of the Trust, and
any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement, and any
and all exhibits and other documents requisite in connection therewith,
granting unto said attorneys and each of them, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned
officers and Trustees themselves might or could do.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned officers and Trustees
have hereunto set their hand this 1st day of November, 2000


/s/ Mario J. Gabelli                            /s/ Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
---------------------------------               --------------------------------
Mario J. Gabelli                                Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.
President, Chief Investment                     Trustee
Officer and Trustee


/s/ Thomas E. Bratter                           /s/ John D. Gabelli
---------------------------------               --------------------------------
Thomas E. Bratter                               John D. Gabelli
Trustee                                         Trustee


/s/ Felix J. Christiana                         /s/ Robert J. Morrissey
---------------------------------               --------------------------------
Felix J. Christiana                             Robert J. Morrissey
Trustee                                         Trustee


/s/ Anthony J. Colavita                         /s/ Karl Otto Pohl
---------------------------------               --------------------------------
Anthony J. Colavita                             Karl Otto Pohl
Trustee                                         Trustee


/s/ James P. Conn                               /s/ Anthony R. Pustorino
---------------------------------               --------------------------------
James P. Conn                                   Anthony R. Pustorino
Trustee                                         Trustee


/s/ Vincent D. Enright                          /s/ Salvatore J.  Zizza
---------------------------------               --------------------------------
Vincent D. Enright                              Salvatore J.  Zizza
Trustee                                         Trustee