R S V P / ORANGE COUNTY : An Italian Villa With a French Twist : ‘An Afternoon in Provence’ at the Melilli estate--a fund-raiser for the Pacific Chorale--offers a taste of another country.

With French food and wine served at a picturesque Italian villa, a benefit for the Pacific Chorale on Sunday made guests feel as if they were in another country--even if they weren’t sure which one.

The Premiere Chapter of the Pacific Chorale Guild called its soiree “An Afternoon in Provence,” yet nobody minded that the location--the estate of David and Darrellyn Melilli--was an Italian villa perched atop a canyon in Laguna Niguel. About 120 guests attended the $65-per-person gala, which was expected to net $12,000 for the chorale.

A Meeting of Cultures

Guests were greeted inside the polished marble interior of the Melilli residence, then fanned out to admire the home’s classic arches and columns and back-yard view of the surrounding canyons and ocean.

“We tried to make this (home) as pure Italian as we could. My husband is Italian, and we travel to Italy often. We enjoy the culture,” said Darrellyn Melilli, a former chorale member who wore a colorful silk dress from Paris in honor of the Provence theme.

Three buffets laden with French specialties prepared by chef Pascal Olhats were all that was needed to make guests feel they were dining in the French countryside. At one table they sampled roasted salmon and seared ahi, while another buffet offered roasted loin of lamb and potato gratin. Upstairs, on the balcony, yet a third buffet was stocked with onion tart, chicken brochette with pesto.

Members of the Pacific Chorale performed choral favorites for the crowd, many of whom are past and present chorus members.

Singing His Praises

The gala was held in honor of John Alexander--artistic director and conductor of the chorale for 23 years--who has helped the group gain international prominence.

“John’s very charismatic. Our singers love him,” said Betsy Moulton, president of the Pacific Chorale Guild.

For his part, Alexander also had glowing words for his singers:

“They’re so committed to the concept of excellence,” he said.

Ann Morris, event co-chairwoman, began singing with the chorale in 1968--just one year after it started.

“We started with 40 members. Today they have almost 200 members and they perform with world-famous orchestras,” Morris said. “It’s very different from the days when we sang with just a piano or organ.”

Jan Landstrom, the other co-chairwoman who also joined the chorale in its early days, recalled that the original members did everything from passing out programs to helping to carry the risers.

“It was bare-bones compared to today,” she said.

Proceeds from the gala will help underwrite a Feb. 26 concert at the Orange County Performing Arts Center featuring the Pacific Chorale, Pacific Symphony and Ballet Pacifica.

Among those attending were Doreen Marshall, honorary chairwoman; Greg Silberman, executive director of the chorale, and his wife Liliana; Bob and Donna Morse, Mark and Shari Cole, Lynn and Sally Rans, Terry and Phyllis Clark, Jack and Jan Eversmeyer, Harvey and Sharon Fair, Diane Olson, Betty Belden-Palmer, Marilyn Gerdts, Richard and Barbara Riffel, Vesta Curry, Bob and Randi Larsen and Rita Major.

A Sorority of Survivors

Women who have waged--and won--the battle against breast cancer shared their stories of survival at a high tea to kick off the upcoming Race for the Cure benefit presented by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

About 250 women, many of them breast cancer survivors, attended the tea Sunday at the Newport Beach Marriott. The tea was held to promote the race, a 5K and one-mile run/walk at Newport Center in Newport Beach on Sept. 25, which will raise money for the education, research, screening and treatment of breast cancer.

A Name and a Number

Cancer survivors wore name tags with a number signifying the years since they overcame the disease. Numbers ranging from one to 37 (sported by Agnes Gardner) were spotted on tags. For guests, just being around other women who have survived breast cancer was reason for optimism.

“This is where (survivors) can meet other women who have turned the breast cancer experience into something positive. That’s why we called this tea ‘Making Miracles,’ ” said Nancy Raymon, event co-chairwoman.

Corinne Beacham-Greene, the other co-chairwoman, wore the number 5 on her name tag.

“When I was diagnosed, the thing that gave me the most hope was knowing that people do survive,” she said. “But we do lose a lot of women to breast cancer. We have a long race ahead.”

Stories of Survival

Dava Gerard founded the foundation’s Orange County chapter because, as a breast surgeon, she realized many of her patients support needs weren’t being met.

“There are a lot of issues outside of the operating room that needed to be addressed,” she said. “Every woman here has an incredible story to tell.”

One of those women was Patty Ecker, a former CBS-TV newscaster whose cancer was diagnosed in 1988.

“We all belong to the same sorority, yet none of us would wish membership on anyone else,” Ecker said. “Cancer robbed me terribly.” Yet it also helped her re-examine her priorities. After battling the disease, she decided to quit CBS to spend more time with her children.

“A life-and-death disease opens a new perspective inward,” she said.

Others attending were Sheila Hillinger, who wrote a song to be sung at the race by breast cancer survivors; Wendy Schain, a psychologist and 25-year breast cancer survivor who has done research on breast cancer patients; Brenda Friday, Sandi Carter, Barbara Garcia, Lynn Kelsey, P.J. Viviansayles, Jeannette Gardner, Wanda Cobb, Theresa Griffith, Robyn Holtz, Roberta Sweeney, Joan Lieux, Judy Parker, Rita Lambert, Sue Winn, Sandy Finestone, Jan Thielbar and Jane Hill.