The annual Opera Gala was held Feb. 3 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
By
Niki Kottmann
| 11:18 a.m. February 4, 2018
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There’s nothing like an evening stroll through the enchanting cobblestone streets of Paris — and one recent event brought that magic all the way to Sarasota.
Sarasota Opera’s annual Opera Gala took on a French theme Feb. 3 in honor of the company’s upcoming performances of “Manon Lescaut.”
To give the evening a certain joie de vivre the hallway outside the ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota was lined with fleur-de-lis-adorned street signs signifying areas such as “Le Bar.” Inside the ballroom, patrons were greeted by a regal purple and silver color scheme reflected in the elaborate floral arrangements, table settings and lighting.
After cocktail hour, guests were greeted by Maestro Victor DeRenzi and Executive Director Richard Russell before a surprise performance of the Can Can by dancers from the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School.
Guests were also treated to three solo operatic performances by singers Lisa Chavez, Andrew Surrena, and Kara Shay Thomson before dinner.
Co-Chairwomen Patricia Jones and Carol English
Opera Gala committee members Isabelle Wright, Christine Shivery, Co-Chairwoman Patricia Jones, Co-Chairwoman Carol English, Lydia McKenzie and Irene Bagby
The ballroom was adorned with pink, purple and red flowers at Opera Gala.
Co-Chairwomen Patricia Jones and Carol English
Guests were welcomed by some accordion music played by Arun Bhagwat upon their arrival at the gala.
Gina D’Angelo and Dr. Barry Levine
Cyndi Miller and Robyn Faucy
Gerald Fickenscher and Wendy Babb
Margaret Lawson with Co-Chairwomen Patricia Jones and Carol English
Lynda Marash and Ann Bowers
Cecil and Shirley Pickett with Mary Kay Henson
George Straschnov and Colette Penn
Steve and Lynn Blackledge with Rod Joslin and Elsa Rohow
Bill and Bonnie Chapman
Bunny Skirboll, Faith Goldman, Hannah Weinberg and Helen Glaser
Adam and Jamie Still
Molly Schechter and Harold Ronson
French street signs adorned the hallway outside the ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Kim Nettles, Harry Leopold and Audrey Robbins
Marlo and Jay Turner with John Antonuk and Debi Lander
Nora Stephan, Sandra Lindqvist and Jane Bavaria
Jim and Andrea Mahan
Sylvia Barber, Dorothy Lawrence and Jacqueline Morton
Hermione Gilpin and Jan Swan
Barbara Aline Blanchard and Isabelle Wright
Harold Ronson with Monica and Richard Van Buskirk
Rachael Worthington, Sarasota Opera Executive Director Richard Russell and Claudia McCorkle
Brigitte McCormack and Fred Melin
Elissa Soyka and Annette Lloyd
Edie and David Chaifetz
Live music played for guests who felt like braving the dancefloor before dinner.
Nancy Hewett and Dr. Edward Williams take to the dance floor before dinner.
Carol and Les Brualdi dance before sitting down for dinner.
Maestro Victor DeRenzi welcomes guests.
Cuban Ballet dancers surprise guests with a performance of the Can Can.
Cuban Ballet dancers surprise guests with a performance of the Can Can.
Cuban Ballet dancers surprise guests with a performance of the Can Can.
Cuban Ballet dancers surprise guests with a performance of the Can Can.
Chairman of the Sarasota Opera Board of Trustees Murray Bring welcomes guests.
