Alight with support for the Opera Pacific

An evening at the Moulin Rouge was the theme for Opera Ball 2005. Co-chaired by Newport’s vivacious hostesses Paige Kunkle and Kathie Ford, the recent Saturday evening white-tie-and-tails soiree unfolded in the Grand Ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel.

It was the 23rd annual Opera Ball on behalf of Costa Mesa-based Opera Pacific. The Disneyland Hotel, recently redesigned and renovated, was in fact the site of the very first Opera Ball in 1983.

The French theme was played to the hilt by co-chairs and committee members who orchestrated a lively party in keeping with opera tradition.

Also on hand for the party were talented young singers, part of the new Opera Pacific Ensemble Repertory. Both classic opera and Broadway light opera pieces delighted the crowd.

Opera executive Robert Jones welcomed patrons and guests, saying, “We have so much to celebrate this year, beginning with our 20th season at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.”

As the Opera Pacific Orchestra played under the direction of Henri Venanzi, can-can dancers kicked up their heels throughout the ballroom.

By the end of the evening, nearly $300,000 was raised in support of Opera Pacific. Opera Pacific founder Ruth Ding was in the crowd along with artistic director John Demain.

Also supporting Opera Ball 2005 were Carmela Dee, Catherine Emmi, Eleanor Faber, Eve Foussard, Timree Gold, Margie Hubbard, Marybelle Musco, Margaret Price, Barbara Roberts, Ann Stern, and Gayle Widyolar.

Opera Pacific’s 20th anniversary season debuted last week at the Orange County Performing Arts Center with Puccini’s “Tosca” and will be followed by Rossini’s “The Italian Girl in Algiers,” January 24 through 29 and Verdi’s “Aida,” April 18 through 23.

For more information, go to www.operapacific.org.

* THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.

20051126iqjao9kn(LA)Above, chairwomen Katie Ford and Paige Kunkle dressed in keeping with the Moulin Rouge theme for Opera Ball 2005.20051126iqjajvkn(LA)Bill and Renee Adler are with Yoko and Jin Yoshida at Opera Ball 2005.20051126iqjaolkn(LA)Left, Peter and Connie Spenuzza pose with fairies at the 23rd Opera Ball held at the Disneyland Hotel.20051126gzf7uqke(LA)