THE CROWD:

The scent of roses, hydrangeas and orchids permeated the air in the elegant white tent that was erected on the grounds of the Ohmann estate.

The crowd descended for a most elegant evening on the Orange Coast on behalf of the Philharmonic Society hosted by the gracious Guisla and Adolf Ohmann.

Sponsored and underwritten by International Jeweler Bvlgari, the affair was the height of sophistication. A four-course seated dinner in the tent was presented at tables dressed in white linens, accented with black and gold service pieces.

The lush and fragrant center pieces surrounded by candlelight intoxicated the crowd enjoying cocktail conversation and dinner while a four-piece string quartet brought enchantment to the night.

The patron party, which honored some forty philanthropic couples supporting the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, was chaired by one of Newport’s most fashionable couples, Darrel and Marsha Anderson.

Joining the Andersons in supporting the event were Philharmonic President and Artistic Director Dean Corey and his wife, Kaly.

Also in the crowd were Pelican Point society standouts Harriet and Sandy Sandhu, Marta and Raj Bhathal, Annie and Howard Freedland, and Lori and Mike Magler.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of an extravagant collection of fine Bvlgari jewelry valued at more than $30 million.

Bvlgari displayed both new and vintage pieces impressing the crowd. World-class emerald and diamond rings, a fabulous yellow gold necklace set with nearly 50 carats of fancy oval shaped sapphires, yet another incredible white gold necklace displaying a spectacular 18.95-carat pear-shaped diamond surrounded by nearly 30 carats of additional diamonds of various shapes and sizes.

The collection was specially flown in from Bvlgari headquarters in Rome, and all the items were available for purchase through the South Coast Plaza Bvlgari boutique.

This coming Saturday evening the Philharmonic Society of Orange County will present their first major gala in the last four years.

The 2008 fundraising event will unfold at the Island Hotel, Newport Beach. Party planner supreme Marsha Anderson and her committee have themed Saturday’s gala as “A Wicked Good Time.”

Guests are invited to dress as their favorite villain from history.

Costume shops around Orange County are running short on Cruella de Vil costumes. It will be interesting to see whether the crowd will be daring enough to dress as some of their favorite Orange County rouges!

Proceeds from the big party will benefit the Philharmonic Society helping to fund youth music education programs that have been so drastically cut in recent years due to budget constraints.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.