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San Francisco Opera
2011 Opera Ball |
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War Memorial Opera House.
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San Francisco Opera Guild kicked off the San Francisco philanthropic season on Friday, September 9, 2011 with Opera Ball 2011—An Evening in the Forbidden City, co-chaired by Anne Marie Massocca and Susan Tamagni. Hailed as one of the City’s most glamorous cultural events, Opera Ball raises funds for San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Opera Guild’s education programs while treating guests to an exceptional evening of food, beverages and world-class entertainment.
The event began at 5 p.m. with an elegant cocktail reception in the War Memorial Opera House, followed by a sumptuous dinner at 6 p.m., created by renowned chef Lucas Schoemaker of McCall Associates, in the Opera Ball Pavilion.
Iréne Theorin (Turandot) and Marco Berti (Calaf) with Joseph Frank (Emperor Altoum) and the San Francisco Opera Chorus performing Act II of Turandot.
After dinner, guests enjoyed the season-opening performance of Puccini’s Turandot at the War Memorial Opera House at 8 p.m. Puccini’s Turandot is a passionate tale of a princess whose cruelty only masks her fear of love. Puccini’s final work features some of the composer’s most glorious music, including the stirring anthem “Nessun dorma.” The outstanding cast was led by Swedish soprano Iréne Theorin in her Company debut; Adler Fellow Leah Crocetto, and Marco Berti. The striking San Francisco Opera/Lyric Opera of Chicago co-production features David Hockney’s vibrant sets and is directed by Garnett Bruce.
The evening culminated with desserts and dancing under the Opera Ball Pavilion to live musical 2 entertainment by the Bill Hopkins Rock’n Orchestra. This entire evening was designed by leading San Francisco event architect Robert Fountain.
Opera Ball 2011 was generously supported by United Airlines, Nordstrom, Hartmann Studios, Wells Fargo Family Wealth, Ferrari of San Francisco, William Hill Estate Winery, Scharffenberger Cellars, Grey Goose Vodka, Town & Country Magazine, Nob Hill Gazette, Soiree Valet, The Desk Set and Crane & Co.
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Ball co-chairs Susan Tamagni and Anne Marie Massocca, SFOG President Ann Girard.
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SFO Music Director Nicola Luisotti, Chairs of the Amici di Nicola of Camerata Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Farrow, SFO General Director David Gockley.
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SFO Chairman John Gunn, SFO General Director David Gockley, SFO Board member Charlotte Shultz, George Shultz, SFO President George Hume.
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Boaz Mazor, SFO Board member Dede Wilsey.
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Bandel Carano, Paula Carano.
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Marissa Mayer, Zach Bogue.
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Karen Sutherland, Alan Malouf.
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Charlot Malin.
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Nicola Miner.
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Tad Taube, SFO Board member Dianne Taube, SFO Board member Teresa Medearis, Mark Medearis.
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Armine Shamiryan, Michael Johnson.
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Patricia Sprincin, Charles Sprincin.
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Rosalina Lydster, Kathy Hilton.
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Mary Poland, Linda Kemper.
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Jack Tamagni, Ann Girard, David Gockley.
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Karen Caldwell.
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Amber Marie Bently.
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Cynthia Gunn, Maria Manetti Farrow.
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SFO Board member Carol Doll.
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Sonya Molodetskaya.
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Deepa Pakianathan.
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Diane Rubin.
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Natasha Kulick, Susan Tamagni.
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David Gockley, Leslie Hume, Nancy Bechtle, George Hume.
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Susan Tamagni, Don DuBain, Lora DuBain.
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Performance photo: Cory Weaver
Gala photos: ©Drew Altizer Photography/SF Wire |
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