Past Events 2015

83 ballet fans were in attendance for the live production from December 2014 of Tchaikovsky’s classic holiday favorite The Nutcracker ballet which featured Soloists and Corps de Ballet of the Staatsballett Berlin, and the Students of the Staatsliche Ballettschule Berlin. The Russian choreographers Vasily Medvedev and Yuri Burlaka developed this version for the Staatsballett Berlin which was based on the historic stage designs and choreography from the original production of 1892. This glittering production was designed as a reproduction of the great ballet feerie, an older form of French theater which includes opulent scenery and mechanically worked stage effects. Maestro Robert Reimer conducted the Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin. At intermission our guests enjoyed a magnificent holiday reception, prepared by our very own chef-in-residence Roslyn Blitzer, and the fantastic menu du jour featured platters of red caviar on pumpernickel with green onion garnish, black caviar on wheat cracker, red onion with cucumber on Russian rye, herbed goat cheese spread sandwiches with garlic, cream cheese, and herbs, deviled eggs with turkey bacon, shrimp and cream spread, and open faced egg and shrimp. Our desserts included platters of Russian tea cakes, thumb print cookies, Russian apple cake, mini Christmas cookies, assorted Christmas chocolates, and a sparkling holiday punch of apple and white grape juices with cranberry ginger ale. In January 2016 we will feature the Live from the Met in HD production of Charles Gounod’s Faust featuring Jonas Kaufmann, Marina Poplavskaya, and Rene Pape, with Yannick Nezet-Seguin conducting the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet. This will be a not-to-be-missed event, and we look forward to bringing you many more outstanding operatic performances every month throughout 2016.

54 opera fans were in attendance for the live production from June 2007 of Massenet’s opera Manon which featured soprano Natalie Dessay in the title role, with tenor Rolando Villazon as the Chevalier des Grieux, and bass Samuel Ramey as the elder des Grieux. Maestro Victor Pablo Perez conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona. At intermission our guests enjoyed a magnificent reception, prepared by our own chef-in-residence Roslyn Blitzer, and the menu du jour featured platters of pepperoni pizza flatbreads, mini quiches, pumpernickel cocktail rye with goat cheese and pea pesto, pear clafoutis, mini eclaires, and cake au chocolat. Everyone also enjoyed a refreshing cup of sparkling raspberry-lemonade punch with diet lemon-lime soda. Our December 2015 program will feature the perennial holiday favorite The Nutcracker ballet, in a new production from the Soloists and Corps de Ballet of the Staatsballett Berlin. In January 2016 we will feature the Live from the Met in HD production of Charles Gounod’s Faust featuring Jonas Kaufmann, Marina Poplavskaya, and Rene Pape, with Yannick Nezet-Seguin conducting the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet. This will be a not-to-be-missed event, and we look forward to bringing you many more outstanding operatic performances every month throughout 2016.

49 ardent opera fans were in attendance for the Teatro all Scala live production from June 1998 of Puccini’s tragic lyric drama which featured soprano Maria Guleghina in the title role, with tenor Jose Cura as the Chevalier des Grieux, and baritone Lucio Gallo as the brother Lescaut. The venerable maestro of La Scala Riccardo Muti conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala, Milan. At intermission our guests enjoyed a magnificent reception, prepared by our own chef-in-residence Roslyn Blitzer, and the menu du jour featured platters of mini sandwiches of assorted meats with basil leaf, red pepper, and mustard-horseradish dressing, salami wraps with pickle and peppers, and baked brie en croute with fig jam. The fabulous desserts included pear clafoutis squares, mini cream puffs, and almond macaroons. Everyone also enjoyed a refreshing cup of sparkling red fruit punch with diet lemon-lime soda. Our November 2015 program will feature the quintessential French opera Manon, in Jules Massenet’s version of the Manon Lescaut story, and will feature Natalie Dessay, Rolando Villazon, and Samuel Ramey, conducted by Victor Pablo Perez, in the live performance at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona from June 2007. This will be another not-to-be-missed event, and we look forward to bringing you many more outstanding operatic performances every month throughout 2016.

82 diehard Verdi opera fans were in attendance for the Royal Opera House live production from 1994 that featured the Covent Garden debut of Angela Gheorghiu as Verdi ‘s tragic heroine Violetta Valery. The all-star cast was rounded out with tenor Frank Lopardo as Alfredo and baritone Leo Nucci as the elder Germont. The venerable maestro Sir Georg Solti conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. At intermission our guests enjoyed a veritable feast, prepared by our own chef-in-residence Roslyn Blitzer, and the menu du jour featured platters of chicken liver pate, cheddar gougeres, roast beef bruschettas with mustard and horseradish sauce, and pesto and chicken-filled biscuits. The sumptuous desserts included French butter cookies, petit French apple tortes with whipped cream, and fruited noodle bake with caramel sauce. Everyone also enjoyed a refreshing cup of sparkling clear fruit punch with diet lemon-lime soda. Our October 2015 program will feature another great tragic operatic heroine Manon in Giacomo Puccini’s opera Manon Lescaut. This will be another not-to-be-missed event, and we look forward to bringing you many more outstanding operatic performances every month throughout 2015.

55 opera fans were in attendance for the Opernhaus Zurich live production from 2004 of Ludwig van Beethoven’s heroic opera Fidelio. The international all-star cast included German superstar tenor Jonas Kaufmann as Florestan, soprano Camilla Nylund as Leonore/Fidelio, bass Laszlo Polgar as Rocco, and bass-baritone Alfred Muff as Don Pizarro. The venerable Maestro Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducted the Chorus and Orchestra of the Zurich Opera House. At intermission our guests enjoyed a veritable feast with platters of honey cookies, cabbage and meatball strudel, potato pancakes with sour cream, sausage rolls, German chocolate cake, and pumpernickel rye appetizers with cucumber, Havarti cheese, red pepper, red onion, and dill. Everyone also enjoyed a refreshing cup of sparkling red berry and lime punch with fresh lime slices and diet lemon-lime soda. Our September 2015 program will feature a new live production from 1994 of Giuseppe Verdi’s tragic opera La traviata with the stunning debut of Hungarian superstar soprano Angela Gheorghiu as Violetta, with Frank Lopardo and Leo Nucci, with Sir Georg Solti conducting the Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. This will be another not-to-be-missed event, and we look forward to bringing you many more outstanding operatic performances every month throughout 2015.

66 opera fans were awed by the spectacular Royal Opera House live production from July 2011 of Puccini’s intensely passionate and dramatic opera Tosca. The international all-star cast included Hungarian superstar soprano Angela Gheorghiu in the title role of the diva Floria Tosca, with German uber tenor Jonas Kaufmann as the painter Cavaradossi, and Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel as the evil Scarpia. Maestro Antonio Pappano, Music Director of the Royal Opera House, conducted the Royal Opera Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. At intermission our guests enjoyed a feast with platters of homemade biscotti, mini pizzas, turkey meatball en croute, homemade wedding cookies, and crackers with mozzarella cheese, olives, pepperoni, and red peppers. Everyone also enjoyed a refreshing cup of sparkling fruit juicy red punch with diet lemon-lime soda. Our August 2015 program will feature a new live production from 2004 of Beethoven’s only opera Fidelio with the German superstar tenor Jonas Kaufmann as Florestan and Camilla Nylund as Leonore/Fidelio at the Zurich Opera House. This will be another not-to-be-missed event, and we look forward to bringing you many more outstanding operatic performances every month throughout 2015.

55 opera fans enjoyed the Metropolitan Opera live in HD production from October 2013 of Tchaikovsky’s stirring and emotional opera Eugene Onegin. The international all-star cast included Russian superstar soprano Anna Netrebko as Tatiana, Polish tenor Piotr Beczala as the poet Lensky, and the charismatic Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecien in the title role of Onegin making his Met debut. Maestro Valery Gergiev, Music Director of the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, conducted the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus, and Ballet. A beautifully decorated reception table of ice blue and gold was accented with dark purple roses and opera prints of Onegin and Tatiana. At intermission our guests enjoyed platters of Russian tea cakes with and without raisins, caviar breads of rye and pumpernickel with red and black Romanoff Icelandic caviar garnished with fresh parsley, and a tray of assorted cheeses and crackers with fresh raspberries. Everyone also enjoyed a refreshing cup of sparkling cranberry and raspberry punch with diet lemon-lime soda and fresh raspberries. Our July 2015 program will feature a new production of Giacomo Puccini’s classic opera Tosca with the iconic Angela Gheorghiu in the title role, with superstar tenor Jonas Kaufmann and bass Bryn Terfel at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. This will be another not-to-be-missed event, and we look forward to bringing you many more outstanding operatic performances every month throughout 2015.

72 enthusiastic opera fans enjoyed the Metropolitan Opera live production from 1989 of Verdi’s triumphant grand opera Aïda. The stellar cast included soprano Aprile Millo as the captive Ethiopian princess Aida, tenor Placido Domingo as the conquering Egyptian hero Radames, soprano Dolora Zajick as the Pharoah’s daughter Amneris, and bass-baritone Sherrrill Milnes as Aida’s father and captive Ethiopian king Amonasro. Maestro James Levine conducted the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus, and Ballet. A beautifully decorated reception table of red and gold stripes on a white tablecloth with a stark white lit pyramid welcomed our guests at intermission as they enjoyed platters of fruit kabobs with apples, red seedless grapes, mandarin oranges, and maraschino cherries, salami roll-ups with cream cheese and manzanilla olives, and mini white chocolate-coated sugar cookies. Everyone also enjoyed a refreshing cup of sparkling red fruit punch with diet lemon-lime soda. Our June 2015 program will feature a production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s opera Eugene Onegin with Anna Netrebko as Tatiana and Mariusz Kwiecien in the title role of Onegin, with Piotr Beczala as Lenski, starring in the live HD production from the Metropolitan Opera House that was broadcast live in theatres. This will be another not-to-be-missed event, and we look forward to bringing you many more outstanding operatic performances every month throughout 2015.

84 enthusiastic opera fans enjoyed the Metropolitan Opera in HD live production from 2010 of Bizet’s Carmen. The stellar cast included mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca as Carmen, tenor Roberto Alagna as Don Jose, soprano Barbara Frittoli as Micaela, and bass-baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes as Escamillo. Maestro Yannick Nezet-Seguin made his Met debut conducting the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus, and Ballet. A beautifully decorated reception table of red and black on a white tablecloth with fresh red roses and a Spanish fan welcomed our guests at intermission as they enjoyed platters of baked cinnamon churros, sweet red seedless grapes, mandarin oranges, crisp red gala apple pieces, and manzanilla olives. Everyone also enjoyed a refreshing cup of sparkling grape, orange, and cranberry-raspberry faux sangria punch with diet lemon-lime soda. Our May 2015 program will feature an outstanding production of Giuseppe Verdi’s triumphant grand opera Aïda. This will be another not-to-be-missed event, and we look forward to bringing you many more outstanding operatic performances every month throughout 2015.

58 opera fans enjoyed the 1980 Vienna State Opera filmed production of Mozart’s last stage work La Clemenza di Tito (The Clemency of Titus). La Clemenza di Tito is less familiar to audiences than Mozart’s other great operas. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle’s film version of this opera was made among the ruins of Rome and provided an excellent realization of the opera. The stellar cast included Tatiana Troyanos, Carol Neblett, Catherine Malfitano, Anne Howells, Eric Tappy, and Kurt Rydl. Maestro James Levine led the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and Vienna State Opera Chorus. A beautifully decorated reception table of a red banner on white tablecloth with the composer’s portrait amidst bands of green ivy welcomed our guests at intermission as they enjoyed platters of sharp cheddar cheese cubes, sweet red seedless grapes, D’Anjou pear slices, and crisp red apple slices drizzled with caramel sauce. Everyone also enjoyed a refreshing cup of sparkling grape and berry faux wine punch with lemon-lime soda. Our April 2015 program will feature another outstanding production with Georges Bizet’s classic opera Carmen with Elina Garanca as Carmen, Roberto Alagna as Don Jose, Barbara Frittoli as Micaela, and Teddy Tahu Rhodes as Escamillo, starring in the live HD production from the Metropolitan Opera House that was broadcast live in theatres. This will be another not-to-be-missed event, and we look forward to bringing you many more outstanding operatic performances every month throughout 2015.

48 opera fans enjoyed the Metropolitan Opera’s acclaimed live in HD performance from 2007 of Vincenzo Bellini’s bel canto classic I Puritani (the Puritans). This spectacular production was created exclusively for the reigning international superstar soprano Anna Netrebko, who starred in the lead role of Elvira. The stellar cast included tenor Eric Cutler as Arturo, baritone Franco Vassallo as Riccardo, and bass John Relyea as Giorgio, with Patrick Summers conducting the magnificent Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus. A beautifully decorated reception table welcomed our guests at intermission as they enjoyed butter cookies, ginger snaps, and pretzel thins, along with a refreshing cup of sparkling strawberry-lemonade punch with lemon-lime soda. Our March 2015 program will feature another outstanding production with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s less-familiar La Clemenza di Tito (The Clemency of Titus) with Tatiana Troyanos, Carol Neblett, Anne Howells, and Catherine Malfitano starring in the acclaimed Vienna State Opera production of Mozart’s last opera, conducted by James Levine and directed by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle. This will be another not-to-be-missed event, and we look forward to bringing you many more outstanding operatic performances every month throughout 2015.

62 diehard Puccini fans enjoyed the Metropolitan Opera’s acclaimed live in HD performance from April 2008 of his immortal classic of loss and loss La Boheme. Angela Gheorghiu, the leading Puccini soprano of our time, sang the role of Mimi, and tenor Ramon Vargas gave a sensitive portrayal of Rodolfo. Baritone Ludovic Tezier’s Marcello was well sung, as was soprano Ainhoa Arteta’s Musetta. Rodolfo’s cohorts, Oren Gradus as Colline and Quinn Kelsey as Schaunard, were excellent, and the veteran bass Paul Plishka delivered some nice comic turns as Benoit and Alcindoro. Franco Zeffirelli created a sumptuous and iconic production, and Nicola Luisotti’s expressive conducting drew the most of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. A beautiful reception table was decorated with a variety of items characteristic of the players in the opera: paint brushes and paint canvas, sewing and stitchery items, sheet music, wine bottles, and poetry. At intermission our guests enjoyed individual warm spinach and cheese mini quiches, along with an elegant assortment of cookies and a refreshing cup of sparkling fruity Sangria punch of cranberry-grape juice with lemon-lime soda and fresh orange, lemon, and lime. Our February 2015 program will feature an outstanding production of Vincenzo Bellini’s bel canto classic I Puritani (The Puritans) with Eric Cutler and Anna Netrebko in the HD Live production from the Metropolitan Opera in New York. This will be another not-to-be-missed event, and we look forward to bringing you many more outstanding operatic performances every month throughout 2015.