VIVE LA PHIL!
“La musique est sans age.” In French, it means music is timeless. And that was the theme of the LA Philharmonic’s magnificent opening-night gala. Like dozens of fairy godmothers, the LA Phil staff worked its magic, pulling together off the most majestic and memorable events of the year. The evening began with a VIP cocktail reception, where the elegantly clad crowd savored salmon bellinis between sips of champagne. There was no shortage of show-stopping fashion statements on the sapphire carpet, where we spied flowing chiffon confections in autumn hues like pumpkin, chocolate and crimson.
President Deborah Borda, sporting a sexy off-the-shoulder number, brought Helene Ellis along for the ride and mom must have been bursting with pride at her daughter’s first-class fete.
Michael and Pat York, fresh from a trip to St Petersburg, said they wouldn’t miss this night for the world. “It’s a great program,” Michael told Malibu Seen. “It’s always a privilege to be here.” Pat opted for a dramatic black and white satin geometric gown while Ginny Mancini looked just peachy in pink. Diane Keaton arrived in her in trademark Annie Hall look with her “Something’s Gotta Give” co-star Jack Nicholson at her side. A massive road closure created havoc on the Harbor and a limo logjam that had Michael Eisner scrambling down to the wire.
Soon it was show time, and we settled in for an evening of classic French and Italian fare. Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen kicked things off with Berlioz’s “Love Scene from Romeo and Juliet.”
“I love the selections by Berlioz,” he said. “They are exquisite jewels. Every note is perfect. It’s very annoying.”
Opera lovers were in paradise over a lineup that featured celebrated songbird Renée Fleming. Taking the stage in a sea-foam fishtail gown with yards of flowing taffeta, the famed soprano looked as if she had just emerged from a Botticelli painting. After delighting the crowd with Ravel and Puccini, Renée asked the audience to sing along in “I Could Have Danced All Night.” While lacking confidence in my own vocal abilities, Edythe Broad jumped right in while Eli hummed along. Esa-Pekka led the orchestra through Boccherini’s “Ritirata Notturna di Madrid” the way Patton might led his troops into battle, accompanied by the rat-a-tat-tat of twin snare drums. Even after four seasons, you can’t help but continually marvel at the hall’s hear-a-pin-drop, knock-your-socks-off acoustics. The program wrapped up with another dose of Berlioz and a burst of blue and white streamers from above.
With shiny streamers trailing behind us, we made our way out to the city lights and starry skies of Grand Avenue, where a half-dozen crystal chandeliers dangled from an expansive open-air tent. The place was awash in sapphire and done up in blue and gold brocade with yellow calla lilies as far as the eye could see. On stage, a jazzy combo complete with accordion played classic French chansons like “I love Paris” and “La Vie En Rose” while dancers in ball gowns and opera gloves showed off their most romantic moves. An army of apron-wearing waiters soon surrounded us, bottles of champagne firmly in hand.
After checking out an eye-popping display of dazzling watches and gems from gala sponsor Breguet, we took our seats for dinner. Celeb chef Joachim Splichal rolled out a first-class feast of crab salad, beef au poivre and a decadent warm chocolate tarte.
After a flashy can-can finale, many took a spin on the dance floor before sailing into the crisp autumn night.
The spectacular evening raised more than $1 million for the Musician’s Pension Fund and for the Phil’s education and outreach programs. Magnifique!