There were vintage cars, sparkly flappers, Malibu opera fans and an evening of magic. It was all part of the Los Angeles Opera’s (LAO) grand opening night. The Gatsby era came to life on the Music Center Plaza when LAO launched the city’s social season with the Opera Ball in a sold-out gala celebration.
Dazzlingly decked out guests, including the lovely Kate Walsh, took part in the festivities. Kate hosted a VIP cocktail party as Marc Stern welcomed neighbors like Eli Broad to an exciting new performance with a twist in the Eva and Marc Stern Grand Hall of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Music lovers were treated to Giuseppe Verdi’s “La traviata,” starring Plácido Domingo, Nino Machaidze and Arturo Chacón Cruz, directed and designed by Marta Domingo, and conducted by James Conlon. In one of opera’s greatest romances, a naive young man falls head over heels for a glamorous party girl until an unexpected visitor threatens to tear them apart. The masterwork stars Nino Machaidze as the ill-fated Violetta Valery and Plácido Domingo as Giorgio Germont. Arturo Chacón Cruz sings the role of Violetta’s young lover, Alfredo Germont.
Although the opera was written in 1853, stage director and production designer Marta Domingo has updated the setting to the 1920s, with ravishing art deco-inspired scenery and costumes. Performances of “La traviata” continue through Sept. 28.
The opening celebration honored Malibu’s longtime representative Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. Zev was hailed as one of LAO’s greatest champions for his deep commitment to the company and to arts and culture throughout Los Angeles County. Zev even got in on the act. Baton proudly in hand, he took the stage for the national anthem at the beginning of the performance, made a special onstage appearance in Act Three and received a commemorative gift during the curtain calls at the end of the performance.
Drawing inspiration from the production’s Art Deco designs, the Opera Ball transported guests into a world of Roaring Twenties fantasy.
After the performance, 500 guests enjoyed a dinner on the Music Center Plaza, followed by an after-party featuring Prohibition-era cocktails and dancing. Special guests included actors Emmy Rossum, Michael York and Stana Katic.
The Opera Ball raised $1.5 million to support LAO’s world-class productions as well as its extensive educational and community engagement programs. Bravo!