Florida
Grand Opera's Opening Night Gala -- Bal à Paris
-- celebrated the opening of the Company's 2008 – 2009
season and its 68th anniversary year on November 15, 2008 at
the Lynn Wolfson Stage of the Arsht Center's Ziff Ballet Opera
House, following the debut performance of the Opera's magnificent
new production of Giuseppe Verdi's La traviata.
Inspired by the Verdi work, set in mid-nineteenth century Paris,
the Bal à Paris featured all things French – including
haute couture, gourmet food, and fine wines and champagnes – and
was under the patronage of His Excellency, Pierre Vimont, French
Ambassador to the United States of America, and Monsieur Philippe
Vinogradoff, Consul General of France in Miami.
Adding a special dimension to the French theme, the Opening Night
Gala once again invited five well-known local couture designers to
create unique ball gowns inspired by each of the season's five
operas. The five fashion designers participating included Rafael
Cennamo; Nicolás Felizola; Ana Maria Guiulfo; Lisbeth Hazoury;
and Yoly Muñoz.
Lynn Wolfson, arts philanthropist, Board member and major donor
to the Opera, was the Honorary International chair Ralph
Lutrin, representing the Audrey Love Charitable Foundation, which
is funding the new production of La traviata, and A. Allan
Lewis, served as the Gala's Honorary chairs.
Grand Benefactors included Adrienne Arsht; Audre Carlin and Donald
Carlin; Charles Dascal and Fanny Dascal; Stephen A. Keller and Lesleen
Bolt; and Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Lopez-Cantera. Co-chairs were Ruby
Bacardi; Nancy Jean Davis; Mr. and Mrs. Laurans A. Mendelson; Charles
E. Porter, BNY Mellon Wealth Management, and Rosie Pachon; Dr. Morton
J. Robinson and Jane Robinson; and Mr. and Mrs. Alvaro Varela.
The exclusive creations of the five designers were worn by professional
models and displayed in the atrium-lobby of the Ziff Ballet Opera
House prior to the performance of La traviata, and in the
Opera Club during the two intermissions, allowing patrons to see
and appreciate these gowns, which, along with other exclusive, high-end
luxury items, were auctioned during the Bal à Paris, with
the proceeds to benefit Florida Grand Opera.
Florida Grand Opera was formed in June 1994 by the merger of Greater Miami Opera, founded in 1941, and The Opera Guild Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, founded in 1945. Celebrating its 68th season of continuous performances, Florida Grand Opera stands as one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Florida. In addition to producing standard repertoire, Florida Grand Opera also presents lesser known operas, as well as commissions and produces new operas. Annually, performances are attended by over 110,000 people, and education and outreach programs serve over 50,000 students. FGO offers several highly successful outreach and educational programs, including its internationally-recognized Young Artist Studio. Founded in 1984, the program attracts young singers who train and enhance their professional skills during a 35-week Miami residency.
