|
LASplash.com: Chicago Charities Fantasy of the Opera 2008 – “Rock the Casbah” By Barbara Keer
Lyric Opera of Chicago Guild Board’s 24th annual Fantasy of the Opera will be held on Saturday, February 2, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This sumptuous mid-winter celebration will offer great food (top restaurateurs, chefs and Ethel’s Chocolate), great music, and great friends. It is presented by the Lyric Opera Guild Board of Directors, and has been heating up Chicago’s winter social scene for more than two decades while raising funds to benefit Lyric. It is one of the company’s most exciting and elegant events. Six hundred guests are expected to enjoy decadent gastronomic delicacies, wickedly whimsical cabaret, delightful dancing and a fabulous silent auction and raffle. The evening will begin with a casbah cocktail or champagne with gourmet appetizers offered by some of Chicago’s top restaurants: 312 Chicago, Carnivale, Coco Pazzo, Devon Seafood Grill, Sa Strada Ristorante, Lloyd’s Chicago, Nine Steakhouse, One North Kitchen & Bar, Rivers Restaurant, Rosebud Restaurants, Roy’s, Shikago, and Townhouse.
This season’s Fantasy Raffle is next, featuring American Airlines round trips for two to London (business class) for a start and other fabulous offerings to follow. The Fantasy Silent Auction (held in the Nancy W. Knowles Lobby) features one of the first one-night stays in a spa guest room for two at The Trump International Hotel & Tower and much more. The Cabaret performance in the Ardis Krainik Theatre begins at 8 p.m. and features stars of Lyric’s 2007-2008 season. If it is anything like last year’s performance, it is certain to be a winner. Music Director, Sir Andrew Davis will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Performance of opera, jazz and Broadway favorites will be offered by David Cangelosi (Pistola/Falstaff), J oyce DiDonato (Rosina/Barber of Seville), Nathan Gunn (Figaro/Barber of Seville), J uan Diego Florez (Almaviva/Barber of Seville) and Andrew Shore (Bartolo/Barber of Seville).
Guests will enjoy a buffet dinner prepared by Blue Plate and assorted Flickinger Wines, and Sweet indulgences courtesy of Ethel’s Chocolate. Music for dancing will be performed by Lynne Jordan and The Shivers. Fantasy of the Opera is made possible by support which is deeply appreciated by Golden Grand Benefactors Baker & McKenzie, Deloitte., Ernst & Young LLP, Goldman Sachs, Harris, N.A., Higgins Development Partners, Huron Consulting, Jenner & Block LLP, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Jordan II, Jordan Industries, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Richard P. and Susan Kiphart, KPMG LLP; Silver Grand Benefactors An Anonymous Donor, Bain & Company, JoAnn Cantalupo; Deutsche Bank; Laura Herman; Allan and Elaine Muchin, Peer Pedersen; Reed Smith Sachnoff & Weaver, and James A. Staples; and Benefactors BBJ Linen and Quarles & Brady LLP. The Fantasy Raffle Sponsor is American Airlines, the official airline of Lyric Opera of Chicago. The Fantasy of the Opera Chairman is James A. Staples (Chicago). Christina M. Rashid (Chicago) is the Fantasy co-chairman. Fantasy Raffle chairman is Britt M. Miller (Chicago) and Fantasy Silent Auction chairman is Rachael G. Pontikes (Chicago). Guild Board president is Patrick J. Bitterman (Chicago). $350/person, black tie More information-Call (312) 827.5673 www,lyricopera.org\fantasy Photos: Dan Rest Published Jan 28, 2008 © Copyright 2003-2004 by LA Splash.com |
