Over 400 guests attended Opera Pacific’s 22nd annual Opera Ball, “A Masked Ball,” on Saturday, October 30 at The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa.

 

This year’s fundraising gala was co-chaired by Katie Ford and Paige Kunkle, and raised approximately $275,000 for the company, while honoring Wells Fargo Bank and Wells Fargo Foundation for their 10 years of support.

 

Artistic Director John DeMain had encouraged all to dress as their favorite opera character, and the response was overwhelming.  “We were overjoyed to see everyone get behind this year’s masked theme,” said Co-Chairman Paige Kunkle, dressed as Cinderella from Rossini’s La Cenerentola.  Katie Ford came as the Marschallin from Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier.   Maestro DeMain was dressed as Count Danilo from The Merry Widow.

 

The evening began at 6 p.m. with a pre-function cocktail reception featuring a trio of Venetian-themed entertainers, including a stilt walker, juggler and harlequin.  The live auction was one of the company’s most successful to date, with auction items ranging from a Luxury Russian Vodka Cocktail Party, a Harbor Yacht Cruise and a broad selection of travel packages.

 

In grand Opera Ball tradition, entertainment was provided by John DeMain conducting a 20 minute program of opera and musical favorites like “Quando m’en vo’” from La Bohème and excerpts from Phantom of the Opera, performed by soprano Megan Monaghan and baritone In Joon Jang with the full Opera Pacific Orchestra.

 

The orchestra played for most of the evening under the baton of Opera

Pacific Chorusmaster Henri Venanzi, giving everyone a pleasurable dining and dancing experience.  They were followed by a DJ playing a selection of popular party favorites, allowing guests to dance through the end of the evening. “I was so excited to see everyone let their hair down and really have a good time,” said Co-Chairman Katie Ford.  “It was great to see my friends and colleagues in costume, dancing, and all in support of Opera Pacific.”

 

Acclaimed Executive Chef Azmin Ghahreman created a highly imaginative four-course meal starting with a selection of hors d’oeuvres prepared in his signature, worldly style.  The highlight was the tomato crusted sea bass accompanied by spinach mousseline.

 

The Pacific Ballroom at The St. Regis served as the ideal venue for this glamorous event.  Its cast-stone caryatids that appear to support the majestic coffered ceiling, harlequin-patterned upholstery in eggplant and gold, and handsomely framed mirrors around the walls lit by decorative chandeliers provided the perfect backdrop to the exquisite gowns and costumes adorning the masked guests.

 

The most notable costumed guests were Best Couple Costume winners Christyne and Bob Olson as King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, Best Female Costume winner Jennifer Patton as 16-century Venetian courtesan Veronica Franco from the movie “Dangerous Beauty” and Best Male Costume winner Jerry Ernst as the Duke in Rigoletto.

 

The ball co-chairmen recognized major table sponsors Carmela and Ben Du, Gail and Roger Kirwan, Marybelle and S. Paul Musco, Zee Allred, Michelle Rohé, Susan and Henry Samueli, Sandi and Doug Jackson, Terry and George Schreyer, Sonja and Patrick Seaver, the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Wells Fargo Bank and Wells Fargo Foundation.

 

In attendance were past ball chairmen, including founder Ruth Ding, Laila Conlin, Mark Johnson, Marla Patterson, S. Gayle Widyolar, Patricia Ann Marshall, Barbara DeMain, Margie Hubbard, Sandi Jackson and Susan Samueli.

 

Corporate sponsors for Opera Ball 2004 included Abbey Event Services,

Antonello Ristorante, Chanel, Continental Airlines, The Ford Design Group, The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort and Spa, South Coast Plaza and Wildflower Linen. Frette provided the favors - luxurious bathrobes for all guests attending.

 

Already full of ideas for next year, Co-Chairmen Katie Ford and Paige Kunkle have committed to chairing Opera Ball 2005.  “We’re looking forward to an even more spectacular event to offer to everyone next year,” said Paige. “Because of the strong success of this year’s ball and the generosity of all attending, Opera Pacific can continue to present world class opera to the community.”

 

For information about Opera Ball and the annual Opera Ball Fashion Show, invitations or underwriting opportunities, contact Michele Bautista, director of special events, at (714) 830-6323 or mbautista@operapacific.org

 

 

Katie Ford                  Paige Kunkle

Co-Chairmen

 

Renée Adler

Paula Aragone

Hana Ayala

Conny Bergstrom

Donna Bianchi

Cynthia J. Boragno

Sandra L. Brown

Donna Bunce

Julie Carr

Laila S. Conlin

Rhonda Couchigian

Jill Dahlson

Shawn Dailey

Barbara DeMain

Christine D. Diemer-Iger

Ruth Ding

Carmela Du

Lois Eisenberg

Catherine Emmi

Elfa Ernst

Ruth Ann Evans

Eleanor Faber

Hani Feller

Katie Ford

Eve Foussard

Julie Francis

Maria Francis

Terry Sue Gagnet

Mrs. Niles Gates

Kathryn Glassmyer

Gloria Green

Ginny Hale

Maralou Harrington

Heather Hartsock

Catherine Holland

Margie Hubbard

Sandi Jackson

Nora Jorgensen-Johnson

Gail Kirwan

Paige Kunkle

Dori Levenson

Cary Lobel

Marie Loderhose

Whitney Mandel

Patricia Ann Marshall

Susan Montonna

Jean R. Moriarty

Margaret Murdy Lusk

Marybelle Musco

Betty McClellan

Marsha Orlin

Donna Phelps

Donata Plumley

Margaret L. Price

Julia Rappaport

Elizabeth Rodeno

Michelle Rohé

Susan Samueli

Terry Schreyer

Kathy Sharp

Pamela Simpson

Liz Sliepka

Georgene Smith

Kathy Snodgrass

Barbara Soros

Beverly G. Spring

Ann Stern

Mary-Christine Sungaila

Christyne Sutton-Olson

Helen Timpe

Monica Timpe-Godfrey

Esther Ujifusa

Christine Valcarenghi

Patricia Vickers

Elizabeth Vincent

Nella Webster

Joyce Weiss

Gayle Widyolar

Joan Williams

Karen Willis