People who attend fundraisers, generally socialites, philanthropists or society reporters, expect a reasonably good dinner and some pleasant entertainment. We can’t vouch for the dinner, but those who attended the opera fundraiser called “Placido Domingo and his Friends” spent a most enjoyable two hours at the Music Center the end of April.
The smaller contributors were treated to two acts of opera while the big spenders were also able to attend a dinner. Domingo and “friends” did a wonderful job, providing a lovely bouquet of singing and dancing.
The evening got off to a serious start with a presentation of the last act of Verdi’s masterpiece, “Otello.” The set was minimal but more than adequate, and the cast members wore the appropriate costumes of the time. Patricia Racette, who starred as Madama Butterfly earlier this year, was a superb Desdemona, entrusted with the great “Willow” aria and the prayer to the Virgin Mary. Domingo, in the role he played at the first performance of the Los Angeles Opera 20 years ago, was a masterful Otello. He is still a powerful singer and actor at the age of 65.
The second presentation was the ballroom scene of Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus.” The act itself is playful and the many familiar arias were sung by a first-rate cast starring Cynthia Lawrence, Sarah Coburn, Lucy Schaufer, Rod Gilfry and Earle Patriarco. There were “Hungarian dancers” and ballet dancers, as well.
As customary with this opera, “surprise” entertainment is interpolated in the act. Here, Domingo pulled off something no one else could do. Without the foreknowledge of the audience, top names in the world of opera made appearances. Each took his or her turn singing and then bowed off the stage. They were Ruth Ann Swenson, Veronica Villarroel, Robert Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu. Charles Castronovo of the Los Angeles Opera and Mark Delavan also sang. Both Eugene Kohn and Domingo served as conductors of the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra.
Festivities ended with singing and dancing to the lilting music of Johann Strauss II. Everyone felt as happy as the Merry Widow herself.