The Crowd: Chinese New Year and Puccini’s ‘Turandot’
A red carpet guided patrons from the valet parking at South Coast Plaza into the center and down the main corridor, past glittering retailers including Harry Winston, Hermes, Van Cleef and Mikimoto to Jewel Court, which had been transformed into a spectacular setting for dinner before Pacific Symphony’s Feb. 18 opening night at the opera.
The massive Jewel Court had been exquisitely draped from ceiling to floor to create a magical dining room for the opera crowd. The red carpet led the crowd into the dining room, where the drapery had been parted. Standing at attention were smartly dressed women in very high heels and classic black cocktail dresses passing out Chinese red-and-gold-embossed envelopes each containing three two-dollar bills, a custom of the Chinese New Year meant to bestow good luck and prosperity upon the recipient.
The sold-out, pre-opera dinner crowd of some 150 patrons contributing $1,000 or more per person had come to support the Pacific Symphony’s fifth semi-staged production of Puccini’s “Turandot.”
The setting in Jewel Court was nothing short of spectacular for the Thursday evening celebration. South Coast Plaza’s Lunar New Year exhibit, the centerpiece of the party, consisted of an 18-foot-tall money tree adorned with whimsical flower-ladened monkeys in honor of the New Year symbol of prosperity and rebirth. The crowd was inspired to dress in the colors of the season, including vibrant reds, yellows and oranges.
Chaired by Charlie and Ling Zhang, the event featured a three-course meal prepared and served by AnQi under the supervision of restaurateur Elizabeth An and her highly creative staff. Dinner service began with an appetizer trio followed by a main course of Peking duck and Misoyaki butterfish served over AnQi’s signature garlic noodles and sautéed vegetables.
An army of waiters ensured flawless service. It was as if there was a waiter for every patron. Mirror-topped tables in alternating sizes and shapes were set with fine bone china and shimmering silver utensils. LIULI crystal sculptures by artist Loretta Yang were surrounded by spectacular florals interspersed with flickering candles, adding to the overall first-class tone of the evening.
Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, Stag’s Leap Karia Chardonnay and Migration Russian River Pinot Noir flowed freely, served in oversized tall-stemmed crystal wine goblets.
The Pacific Symphony President John Forsyte joined Music Director Carl St. Clair and his wife, Susan St. Clair, in table hopping throughout the party, welcoming patrons, thanking them for their support and sharing insider tips into the creation of the massive opera production, which was set to debut at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall later that evening.
In between dinner courses, the opera lovers were treated to musical performances including a piano solo by Rueibin Chen and a duet by violinist Navid Kandelousi and yangqin player Lily Yuan.
Forsyte shared some of the complexity of staging opera in Orange County. In particular, Puccini’s “Turandot” required a massive cast, choir, props, costumes and orchestrations in order to deliver the emotional melodies, including his arguably most famous aria, “Nessun Dorma.”
Dessert, a flourless chocolate dome cake, with blackberry sauce, hazelnut brittle and port reduction, delighted the crowd as they prepared to leave South Coast Plaza to make the 8 p.m. curtain across the street.
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B.W. Cook is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
