RHAPSODIC REVELRY

RHAPSODIC REVELRY

by | Feb 28, 2022 | R.S.V.P. HOUSTON, 2022 March April, Parties

Houston Symphony Gala Creates Fundraising Overtures

 

By Jennifer Roosth               Photography by Wilson Parrish and Priscilla Dickson

THE SETTING: Cascading white florals filled the ballroom, as 350 music supporters attended the 2022 Houston Symphony Ball, themed The Symphony World in Harmony at the plush Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston. With pandemic protocol in place, the celebratory night was an event to remember as it highlighted the organization’s glittering achievements, accolades, and ingenuity through the years. The evening honored Margaret Alkek Williams with the Lifetime of Philanthropy Award, Janet F. Clark with the Ima Hogg Philanthropy Award, and John Mangum with the Raphael Fliegel Award for Visionary Leadership.

 

THE STYLE: The evening featured a gourmet multi-course dinner by the hotel’s Executive Chef Jean Luc Royere, with wine pairings selected by Lindy and John Rydman of Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods. Beyond the robust silent auction throughout the evening, guests enjoyed live music from the Dave Bennet Quartet. In a twist of musical genres, the event culminated with an acoustic performance by legendary rocker Sammy Hagar, accompanied by his longtime guitarist, Vic Johnson.

 

THE PURPOSE: Cheryl Byington, Bill Stubbs, and Beth Wolff, the event chairs, were delighted with the results of the annual event that raised over $1,100,000 for the Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives in schools, hospitals, and other venues throughout the city. These activities include education programs that serve students in 26 area school districts and a Health and Wellness initiative for patients, their families, and caregivers at three Texas Medical Center hospitals.

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SPANISH OVERTURE

SPANISH OVERTURE

by | Dec 30, 2021 | R.S.V.P. HOUSTON, 2022 January February, Parties

Houston Grand Opera Opening Night Concert, Carmen

By Jennifer Roosth   Photography by Wilson Parish and Melissa Taylor

THE SETTING: Recently, the Houston Grand Opera opened its 67th season with a historic return to the stage for live opera, with the opening night production of Bizet’s Carmen. Following the performance, the celebration continued as over 370 guests progressed to a tented Ray C. Fish Plaza to usher in the next era of HGO and welcome new General Director Khori Dastoor.

THE STYLE: A tragedy of obsessive love, Bizet’s Carmen was first staged in 1875 and is today considered the most popular opera in the world. A full house smiled with recognition when the well-known first notes of the prelude rang throughout the Brown Theater. After the concert, as the lights came up, black tie clad opera-goers enjoyed an intimate seated dinner with a close circle of Houston arts supporters and enthusiasts. The décor, created by The Events Company, burst with the same jewel tones of Ashford’s production and was accentuated with touches of black Spanish lace—a nod to Carmen’s femme fatale costumes. Inspired by the production’s Seville setting, City Kitchen Catering presented a colorful three-course feast, including Tarta de Santiago for dessert.

THE PURPOSE: Betty and Jess Tutor chaired the event, which raised $460,000. The opening night performance of Bizet’s Carmen was performed by HGO Studio alumna Carolyn Sproule, conducted by Lidiya Yankovskaya, and brought to vibrant life with striking costumes and captivating dance by award-winning Broadway director and choreographer Rob Ashford. This production delivers a thrilling experience to an audience starved of live grand opera for over 20 months.

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