Opera Gala Hits the Right Note

The fact that the director of “La Traviata” was booed when he took his onstage bow didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of opera patrons who danced the night away on the Music Center Plaza.

The 650 who paid $650 a head celebrated anyway at Thursday night’s gala benefit opening of the Los Angeles Music Center Opera.

“This was my first opera,” said singer Natalie Cole, who, with husband Andre Fischer, was the guest of Rodeo Drive boutique magnate Fred Hayman. “It was better than I expected. I cried. It was lovely. Everyone was talking about the way (Violetta, sung by Veronica Villarroel) died. Oh . . . it was to die for!”

Chairmen of the event were Anjelica Huston and her new husband, artist Robert Graham. “I was flattered that they asked me to do this,” said Huston, an avowed opera fan.

Other Hollywood types attended the black-tie gala, a different kind of event for a crowd that doesn’t usually claim opera theaters among its natural habitats. Among the celebs were singer Eric Clapton (“I’m a Puccini fan”), actors Sidney Poitier (with wife Joanna) and Yvette Mimieux (with husband Howard Ruby), director Lili Fini Zanuck, Motown’s Suzanne de Passe, and TV exec Tony Thomopoulos and wife Cristina Ferrare.

Said Sidney Poitier: “Since I’m not as well versed as most opera lovers, I just enjoyed it.”

“We don’t think to tap into the Hollywood community,” said gala steering committee member Carol Henry. “We think they’re so busy with their own lives. But there are some opera lovers out there.”

Other guests included the opera’s general director, Peter Hemmings; Joan and John Hotchkis; Lenore and Bernard Greenberg (he’s president of the opera board); Linda May; Alice and Joe Coulombe; Shelby and Bill Conti; Veronica Pastel; James Galanos, and Bridget and John Martens.

Although summer is history, not every woman switched to post-Labor Day basic black for the evening. Huston wore a royal blue one-shoulder gown, and Joan Hotchkis was in a fuchsia Vicky Tiel. And gowns in shades of tangerine, emerald green, eggplant and burnished gold were standouts, even under the pinpoint lights on the plaza.

With heat lamps to keep them warm, patrons dined on smoked salmon, grilled chicken stuffed with polenta and very rich chocolate cake “La Traviata.” And to stay even warmer, there was dancing to Rudy Varon and his orchestra.