Fantasy of the Opera
For Immediate Release:
February 13, 2013
Lyric
Opera of Chicago’s Fantasy of the Opera Gala –
more
than $450,000 net raised!
700
attended Guild Board of Directors’ 29th annual Fantasy fundraiser
“Midnight in Paris” lit up the Civic Opera
House on Sat., Feb. 9, 2013
The
Civic Opera House was transformed into 1920s Paris, complete with the Eiffel
Tower, the Moulin Rouge nightclub, and classic boulevard signs (environmental
design by Event Creative). This set the scene for “Midnight in Paris,” the 29th annual Fantasy of the Opera Gala benefit
hosted by Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Guild Board of Directors on Saturday,
February 9.
The gala benefit raised more than $450,000 net for the world-renowned opera company.
In
keeping with the theme, guests arrived in “1920s Paris chic/black tie” attire.
Early
in the evening, an array of elegant tastings prepared by some of Chicago’s top
chefs enticed the crowd of 700 ticket-holders for the festive fundraiser. Restaurant
stations could be found throughout the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Grand Foyer
and American Airlines Mezzanine – a.k.a. “The Streets of Paris” for the
evening. Guests enjoyed Veuve Clicquot Champagne, “Oo la la!” highballs (Grand
Marnier, cranberry juice, seltzer, and lime), and other refreshments while they
purchased raffle tickets or placed silent-auction bids. (G
uests bid
electronically using their personal communication devices.) Additional
diversions included can-can dancers, henna tattoos, tarot-card readings, jugglers,
mimes, and a photo booth.
The Fantasy
Cabaret performance in the Ardis Krainik Theatre began shortly after 8 p.m. and
featured stars of Lyric’s current season. Lyric’s music director Sir Andrew Davis sparkledas Master of Ceremonies. Jamie
Barton (Die Meistersinger von
Nürnberg), David Cangelosi (Die Meistersinger), Elizabeth Futral (La bohème),
Amanda Majeski (Die Meistersinger), Ana
María Martínez (La bohème), Lucas Meachem (La bohème), Albina
Shagimuratova (Rigoletto), and Andrea Silvestrelli (La bohème, Die Meistersinger ),performed
selections mostly from the great American songbook and Broadway classics. Pianist Valerie
Maze accompanied the singers.
Following the cabaret, gala sponsors and
VIP ticketholders enjoyed a seated dinner prepared by Limelight Catering, while other guests flocked to “The Streets of
Paris” and danced with wild abandon till midnight to Rendezvous Music. The
dance-floor never thinned, and La bohème baritone
Lucas Meachem brought down the house
when he spontaneously joined the band for a brilliant rendition of Queen’s
“Bohemian Rhapsody.” Many guests cooled their heels by visiting the lower-level
Opera Club, a.k.a. the Moulin Rouge, to enjoy Veuve Clicquot and Grand Marnier
cocktails, specialty coffees, and liqueurs.
Fantasy of the
Opera Chairman: Courtney Rosen (Chicago)
Fantasy of the Opera Co-chairman:
David Valkema
(Long Beach, Indiana)
Fantasy of the
Opera Silent Auction Chairman:
Louise
Johnson
(Chicago)
Fantasy of the
Opera Raffle Chairman:
Allison Alexander
(Rockford)
Guild Board of
Directors President
: Britt Miller
(Chicago)
Golden Grand Benefactors
Anonymous (2); Bain
& Company; Baker & McKenzie; closerlook, inc.; Jenner & Block LLP;
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Jordan II/Jordan Industries; Richard P. and Susan Kiphart;
KPMG LLP; Mayer Brown LLP; Blythe Jaski McGarvie; Spencer Stuart;
and the Donna Van Eekeren Foundation
Silver Grand Benefactors
Anonymous; Aetna; Eisen
Family Foundation;
Greg and Ann Jones/The Edgewater Fund;
Jones Lang LaSalle;
Allan and Elaine
Muchin; Quarles & Brady LLP; Alan Schriesheim and Kay Torshen; Takeda Pharmaceuticals;
Underwriters Laboratories;
and
Anne Zenzer and Dominick DeLuca
Fantasy Raffle Sponsor
American Airlines, the
Official Airline of Lyric Opera
Dining
Limelight Catering
Streets of Paris Restaurants
Avec, Coco Pazzo
, Cru, e. leaven Food Company, embeya, Good
Vines, Libertad, Lloyd’s Chicago,
Magnolia Bakery, N9ne,
One North Kitchen & Bar, Palm Restaurant, Pazzo’s, Piccolo Sogno Due,
Sweet Margy, Toni
Patisserie & Café, très jolie pâtisserie, Vera
Music
Rendezvous Music
Décor and Linens
BBJ Linen
and Event Creative
For event photos,
please contact Kate Suffern: 312-827-5832 or ksuffern@lyricopera.org
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