THE CROWD:

Their mantra is to always strive for excellence. Acceptable is, quite simply, unacceptable. Elizabeth and Henry Segerstrom welcomed Orange County and Los Angeles guests to a Sunday afternoon concert followed by supper in a tent last weekend that was arguably spectacular.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic filled the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall with the music of Mozart and Bruckner in what was the final concert of renown Los Angeles based music director Esa-Pekka Salonen for the time being. The acclaimed 50-year-old maestro is taking time off to compose, leaving his position with the L.A. Philharmonic. Dean Corey, president of the Orange County Philharmonic Society introduced Salonen to the adoring crowd. His interpretation of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A major K 622 featured the exemplary gifts of clarinetist Michele Zukovsky. “It brought me to tears,” commented Newport Coast hostess and O.C. Performing Artscenter board member Sally Crockett. “Simply outstanding,” added Crockett one of the O.C.’s most stylish and intelligent women.

The Sunday afternoon soiree was underwritten by a host of dedicated corporate and individual donors, most notably on this occasion by one of the world’s distinguished jewelers and watch-makers Brequet. Founded in 1775 in Switzerland, Brequet was principally a creator of exquisite time pieces. Recently the company ventured into jewelry design creating dazzling pieces using diamond and colored gemstone compositions inspired by both historical periods and notable leaders of world history. The company and its executives including Jean-Marc Bories, Caroline Faivet, Trisha Fortuna, and Alfred Acosta supported the Philharmonic Society and grand hostess Elizabeth Segerstrom in creating what was a salon, not simply a dinner, worthy of being labeled as a modern-day Medici sponsorship of the artistic intelligentsia.

Guests were welcomed into a tent erected alongside the Concert Hall as an armada of Joachim Splichal’s Patina staff lined the royal blue carpet. The pristine white tent on the outside was in fact lined with royal blue fabric inside. Designers had strategically removed panels of the elevated ceiling which provided a skyward view of the handsome steel Center Tower to the west and the Performing Artscenter to the east for guests seated at the singular banquet table that stretched from one end of the structure to the other.

The setting, the dinner, like the preceding concert, were all works of art. To the credit of Elizabeth and Henry Segerstrom, it was yet another example of striving for, and reaching a higher level of the human experience. It is not just a function of money. Money is essential when creating outstanding events. But money alone does not equal taste, vision and the ability to translate a concept into amazing reality.

These talents, if you will, have long been hallmarks of Henry Segerstrom. They are now also recognized as attributes of his much-admired Elizabeth, who also accepts nothing less than excellence. Her style was evident in every detail, from the white suede table and chair coverings to the blue and white contemporary dishes and stemware to the white orchids splashing out of square vases to the enormous white shades illuminating the tent above the table from on high. The party was crisp, elegant, and modern, with a menu created by Splichal and Patina that was so outstanding it set a new mark of excellence for O.C. catering. The crowd could not believe the quality of the beef served as an entrée from the “Snake River Farm.”

Seasoned event devotees including Roger Kirwan, Debra Gunn Downing, Charles Fabius, Sabra Bordes, Kathy Gardarian, Cynthia Graff, and Betty and S.L. Huang were among patrons enjoying the salon created by Elizabeth, who was exquisitely dressed in a classic sleeveless raw silk cream and royal blue cocktail dress with coordinated royal blue pointed pumps adorned with large rhinestone buckles.

Beyond the elegance of the surroundings and the excellence of the cuisine, which by the way was served by one wait-person to one guest, the energy and excitement of the occasion was fueled by the presence of Esa-Pekka Salonen along with the combination of interesting guests from both Orange County and Los Angeles. Table conversation was electric.

Hollywood mega-talent Sherry Lansing, former boss of Paramount Pictures now heading up her own philanthropic foundation was at the table, as was her acclaimed husband, director Billy Friedkin. Couples were not seated together, mixing up the conversation. Michael Conforti, director of the Clark Museum was in the crowd as was O.C.’s glamorous and dedicated Jennifer Condas and her husband, John Condas. Arlette-Elsa Emch, Joan and John Hotchkis, and Caroline Graham of Los Angeles joined General William Lyon and wife Willa Dean, impeccably dressed and quietly elegant with a strong dose of southern charm.

Mark and Stephanie McGwire, Anton and Jennifer Segerstrom, Judy Morr, Dan and Jeule Stein, Marc and Eva Stern, Bruce and Joy Ward, Jerry and Pat Lindner, Melissa Lilly, Eric and Deborah Keillor, Jon Holman, Lisa and David Heil, and Frank Cutler were among the glitterati marking the special occasion.

THE CROWD run Thursdays and Saturdays.