Having a ball celebrating Opera Pacific
The 20th anniversary Opera Ball, celebrating the magic and majesty
of Opera Pacific, unfolded last week at the Disneyland Hotel’s Grand
Ballroom. Chaired by Newport’s indomitable social force Donna Bunce,
the party was, in her words, “Simply breathtaking.”
“Sometimes it all just works, comes together perfectly,” she said.
“This was one such evening.”
Celebrating the 17th season of opera in Costa Mesa, the company
anticipates more than $300,000 in proceeds from the ball. Set to the
music of Johann Strauss Jr. and decorated in the theme of
19th-century Vienna, the evening attracted the support of some 450
Opera Pacific patrons, including honorary chairs.
Opera ball founders Ruth Ding and Niles Gates, 90, were present,
along with Gates’ wife, Mimi, who accepted accolades on his behalf.
Newport’s Karen Elliott, Cynthia Boragno and Ruth Ann Evens served
as co-chairs, supporting Bunce in the production of a stellar event
featuring a cast of some 20 singers and dancers backed by the Opera
Pacific Orchestra.
A dazzling mid-ball performance of the second act of Strauss’ “Die
Fledermaus” was led by Opera Pacific maestro John De Main. The
elegant crowd was transported to another time and place in a ballroom
decorated by Bunce and staff with 25 shimmering crystal chandeliers
imported for the evening.
If that was not enough sparkle, the invitation called for the
ladies to sport tiaras, in keeping with the Austrian theme. The
diamonds, some real, some not so real, shimmered in the light.
A major part of the evening included recognition of former Opera
Ball chairpersons who have lovingly participated for many years.
Included in the distinguished lot were Gayle Anderson, Kasia Johnson,
Kathleen Rhynerson, Anne Key, Barbara Venezia, Laila Conlin, Marla
Patterson, Kathy Dogali, S. Gayle Widyolar, Patricia Marshall, Sandi
Jackson, Susan Samueli, Barbara De Main, Margie Hubbard and Janice
Johnson.
Cartier was a major sponsor of the evening, as they have been for
a number of years. Additional support for the benefit came from Donna
and John Crean, Marsha and Darrel Anderson, Jerry and Sandra Beigel,
Conny and Karl Bergstrom, Sally and Randy Crockett, Catherine and
James Emmi, Carole and Robert Follman, Barbara and James Glabman and
Austrian Ambassador Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, who was down from the
official residence in Brentwood for the evening.
Jerry and Whitney Mandel were there, along with Suki and Randy
McCardle, Jean Moriarty, Lido’s elegant Joan and Tom Riach, Michele
Rohe, Maggie Price and Mary Roosevelt.
Generous underwriters Susan and Henry Samueli chatted with Nick
and Heidi Shahrestany, Sally Segerstrom and Harbor Island cultural
activist Elizabeth Colyear Vincent.
* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.
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