Sarasota Opera kicks off winter season with “A Japanese Affair”
Supporters enjoyed dinner, dancing and multiple performances Jan. 21.
By
Niki Kottmann
| 12:51 a.m. January 22, 2017
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A walk through The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota ballroom Jan. 21 was like a stroll through a blossoming Japanese garden. Paper lanterns in various shades of pink hung from the ceilings, and blush-colored flowers — none of which were actually cheery blossoms, however, because none could be found at this time of year — adorned every table at the 2017 Opera Gala: “A Japanese Affair.” The event was themed after the opera’s latest production, “Madama Butterfly,” and was the start to the 2017 Winter Opera Festival.
Guests sipped on their Cherry Blossom Saketini signature cocktails while bidding on silent auction items and rubbing elbows with other opera-lovers during cocktail hour. Afterwards, they adjourned to the ballroom for performances by Sarasota Opera Principle Artists Joanna Parisi and Antonio Coriano.
A four-course dinner and dancing followed as guests enjoyed the sounds of Scott Blum Band.
Co-Chairwomen Edie Chaifetz and Sandra Lindqvist
Gala Committee members Annette Lloyd, Helen Glaser, Toby Siegel, Sandra Lindqvist, Bonny Heet, Carol English, Elizabeth Wery and Edie Chaifetz
Lindsey Job shows off her elegant updo.
Stephanie Sundine, Sarasota Opera Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi, Cynthia Russell and Sarasota Opera Executive Director Richard Russell
Joe and Jean Volpe
The theme for the evening, “A Japanese Affair,” was executed using cherry blossoms, lanterns and other traditional Japanese decor.
LaVerne Stellas, George Caraviotis, Peggy Kamin and Helen Caraviotis
Inna Snyder and Maria Agostino
Dr. Ed Williams dances with Nancy Hewett.
Mike and Lynda Matash
Normand and Hannah Weinberg with Bunny and Mort Skirboll
The theme for the evening, “A Japanese Affair,” was executed using cherry blossoms, lanterns and other traditional Japanese decor.
Jacqueline Morton and Ruth Barker
Michael and Ann Bowers with Janet Huelster
The theme for the evening, “A Japanese Affair,” was executed using cherry blossoms, lanterns and other traditional Japanese decor.
Petery and Suzanne Berry, Chris and Chuck Shivery, Pat and Tom Jones and Carol and Larry English
Andy Kotsatos and Heather Parsons
The theme for the evening, “A Japanese Affair,” was executed using cherry blossoms, lanterns and other traditional Japanese decor.
Jay and Veronica Brady with Alex Floethe and Hermione Gilpin
Alice Nelson and Susan Lawrence
The Scott Blum Band perform for the crowd.
Pat Maggier, Jonathan Coleman and Dorothy Lawrence
Richard and Monica Van Buskirk with Harold Ronson
The theme for the evening, “A Japanese Affair,” was executed using cherry blossoms, lanterns and other traditional Japanese decor.
Rick and Sandra Gomez with Bonnie and Bill Chapman
Stacy Ridenour, John Suhre and Carla Koeffler
Sarasota Opera Principle Joanna Parisi, who plays Madama Butterfly in the opera’s current production, performs.
Patti Piper and Pat MaGuire
Wendy Babb and Gerald Fickenscher
Sarasota Opera Principle Joanna Parisi, who plays Madama Butterfly in the opera’s current production, performs with Maestro John Spencer.
Chris O’Brien and Sarah Beattie
Bill and Ashley Lawson
Sarasota Opera Principle Tenor Antonio Coriano performs.
Phil and Lindsey Job
Adam and Jamie Still with Dawn Jacobson and Jason Voss
