Having a ball celebrating Opera Pacific

The 20th anniversary Opera Ball, celebrating the magic and majesty

of Opera Pacific, unfolded last week at the Disneyland Hotel’s Grand

Ballroom. Chaired by Newport’s indomitable social force Donna Bunce,

the party was, in her words, “Simply breathtaking.”

“Sometimes it all just works, comes together perfectly,” she said.

“This was one such evening.”

Celebrating the 17th season of opera in Costa Mesa, the company

anticipates more than $300,000 in proceeds from the ball. Set to the

music of Johann Strauss Jr. and decorated in the theme of

19th-century Vienna, the evening attracted the support of some 450

Opera Pacific patrons, including honorary chairs.

Opera ball founders Ruth Ding and Niles Gates, 90, were present,

along with Gates’ wife, Mimi, who accepted accolades on his behalf.

Newport’s Karen Elliott, Cynthia Boragno and Ruth Ann Evens served

as co-chairs, supporting Bunce in the production of a stellar event

featuring a cast of some 20 singers and dancers backed by the Opera

Pacific Orchestra.

A dazzling mid-ball performance of the second act of Strauss’ “Die

Fledermaus” was led by Opera Pacific maestro John De Main. The

elegant crowd was transported to another time and place in a ballroom

decorated by Bunce and staff with 25 shimmering crystal chandeliers

imported for the evening.

If that was not enough sparkle, the invitation called for the

ladies to sport tiaras, in keeping with the Austrian theme. The

diamonds, some real, some not so real, shimmered in the light.

A major part of the evening included recognition of former Opera

Ball chairpersons who have lovingly participated for many years.

Included in the distinguished lot were Gayle Anderson, Kasia Johnson,

Kathleen Rhynerson, Anne Key, Barbara Venezia, Laila Conlin, Marla

Patterson, Kathy Dogali, S. Gayle Widyolar, Patricia Marshall, Sandi

Jackson, Susan Samueli, Barbara De Main, Margie Hubbard and Janice

Johnson.

Cartier was a major sponsor of the evening, as they have been for

a number of years. Additional support for the benefit came from Donna

and John Crean, Marsha and Darrel Anderson, Jerry and Sandra Beigel,

Conny and Karl Bergstrom, Sally and Randy Crockett, Catherine and

James Emmi, Carole and Robert Follman, Barbara and James Glabman and

Austrian Ambassador Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, who was down from the

official residence in Brentwood for the evening.

Jerry and Whitney Mandel were there, along with Suki and Randy

McCardle, Jean Moriarty, Lido’s elegant Joan and Tom Riach, Michele

Rohe, Maggie Price and Mary Roosevelt.

Generous underwriters Susan and Henry Samueli chatted with Nick

and Heidi Shahrestany, Sally Segerstrom and Harbor Island cultural

activist Elizabeth Colyear Vincent.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.