Society: La Bohème opera gala sings romance

Lead title sponsors of the opera gala, Valerie and Harry Cooper. (Photo by Margo Schwab)

The San Diego Opera opened its 2010 season January 30, 2010 with a focus on romance.

Formally attired guests first enjoyed a champagne reception at the downtown U.S. Grant Hotel.

Among the well dressed and tressed crowd were these standouts: Valerie Cooper wore a sleek beaded Naeem Khan. Valerie and her husband, Harry Cooper, were the lead title sponsors of the gala. Jennifer and Richard Greenfield were sponsors as well. Jennifer chose a purple strapless gown by Naeem Khan – the color complemented her new amethyst drop earrings. Sponsors Lynda and Richard Kerr were in attendance as well. Lynda chose a mesmerizing blue gown by Reem Acra. The color paired well with the gala’s blue theme.

More there included Joan Jacobs who wore a navy blue Catherine Regehr gown and Sarah B. Marsh-Rebelo, wearing a positively pink and pretty gown by Marisa Baratelli.  Noni Senyei chose a subtle gown by French designer Lanvin, Colette Carson Royston was in a very elegant Dior, Sheryl White dazzled in a golden Pamela Roland, Olivia Farrell wore a Catherine Regehr, Karen Cohn wore a patterned Oscar de la Renta and Tanya Brandes had the gown of gowns – a Christian Lacroix couture. As Tanya explained, it was like wearing a piece of art.

The Dow Divas, the San Diego Opera force des femmes, once again chaired the event. Dow Diva president Iris Strauss dazzled in Naeem Khan.

The complete listing of the Dow Diva chairs consists of Iris Strauss, Rusti Bartell, Barbara Bloom, Tanya Brandes, Lee Clark, Karen Cohn, Valerie Cooper, Olivia Farrell, Alberta Feurzeig, Jake Figi, Dawn Gilman, Lee Goldberg, Jennifer Greenfield, Joan Jacobs, Jeanne Jones, Lynda Kerr, Wanda Levi, Sheila Lipinsky, Mary Lyman, Sarah B. Marsh-Rebelo, Sheila Potiker, Colette Royston, Sheryl White, M. Faye Wilson and Pamela Wygod.

Lee Goldberg was unable to attend, but commented on the Opera’s successes.

“Over the years, under the brilliant direction of Ian Campbell, we have seen the company grow in so many ways. The San Diego Opera is one of the top ten in this country – one of the crown jewels of San Diego, and one we take great pride in.”

“It was such an exciting evening in so many ways  - La Bohème marked San Diego Opera’s 45^th anniversary and the gala marked the Dow Diva’s 5^th Anniversary of chairing this most important gala event,” said San Diego Opera’s artistic director and general director Ian Campbell. ”We are indebted to the Divas for their dedication, creativity and extraordinary time and effort in ensuring that each San Diego Opera season opens in such elegant style.”

“Wow!  Paris has nothing over San Diego when it comes to putting together a world class opera event,” remarked Jordan. “From the incredible Dow Divas to the amazing production itself…loved it!”

“Beautiful music always lifts the soul,” concluded Sarah B. Marsh-Rebelo. “This was never more true than Saturday evening, when Piotr Beczala as Rodolfo and Ellie Dehn as Mimi sang Giacomo Puccini’s ’La Bohème.’”

The dinner gala was French in theme under the guidance of Diva Jeanne Jones. Decorations by Jim Lennox of Pacific Event Productions included 15-foot Erté statues. Table decorations included Eiffel Tour replicas, compliments of Rusti Bartell.

To learn more about the San Diego Opera season, its programs for schools and adults and the Opera’s special events, visit www.sdopera.com

To view more photos and coverage of this event, visit www.thesocialdiary.com

In other social news: Tom Hom will be honored this July aboard the USS Midway for being one of San Diego’s most influential Asian Americans. Aside from Hom’s involvement with downtown San Diego, he has a list of prestigious firsts, including first Asian American elected to the San Diego City Council and first Asian to serve in the California Assembly. For more information, visit  www.asianheritageawards.com

Margo Schwab is the editor of TheSocialDiary.com, the society reporter and specialty reporter for San Diego Home & Garden Magazine, and the society writer for San Diego News Network. To notify her about your upcoming event, e-mail mschwab@san.rr.com.

Tags: Alberta Feurzeig, Barbara Bloom, Colette Carson Royston, Dawn Gilman, Dow Divas, Harry Cooper, Iris Strauss, Jake Figi, Jeanne Jones, Jennifer Greenfield, Joan Jacobs, Karen Cohn, La Boheme, Lee Clark, Lee Goldberg, Lynda Kerr, M. Faye Wilson, Marisa Baratelli, Mary Lyman, Noni Senyei, Olivia Farrell, Pamela Wygod, QCLNN, Richard Greenfield, Richard Kerr, Rusti Bartell, San Diego Opera, Sarah B. Marsh-Rebelo, SDNN, Sheila Lipinsky, Sheila Potiker, Sheryl White, Tanya Brandes, U.S. Grant Hotel, Valerie Cooper, Wanda Levi

This entry was posted on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 9:00 am and is filed under Society . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.