Pittsburgh Opera rings in 2015 with grand party at Carnegie Museums
On New Year's Eve, the Carnegie Museums in Oakland looked like a glamour capital — a magnet and mecca for buffed up powerbrokers and Beautiful People. They turned out 225 strong for As Time Goes By, the PittsburghOpera's big-ticket black-tie party that will have folks talking for a long, long time.
Cork-popping began with the see-and-be-seen cocktail hour in the Carnegie's soaring white marble Hall of Sculpture. And dress-up was as up as it could go. Our damsels glittered and gleamed in long or short numbers and ice-packed bijoux.
The crowd streamed into the majestic Music Hall foyer that floral designer Hens and Chicks had splendidly stepped up with a Midas touch. Covered in spun-gold cloths to the floor, tables were centered with golden candelabra, top hats, noisemakers and white hydrangeas. Guests tucked into a menu of fine wining and dining that lived up to its promise.
Show time in the Music Hall followed, with a concert as bubbly as champagne. The Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra accompanied resident artists in a medley of delightful arias and show tunes. Joined by Attack Theatre's Peter Kope and Michele de la Reza in the grand finale, they frolicked and waltzed across the stage to a standing O.
All lingered at the staggering dessert buffet before returning to the foyer to dance their black-ties and tails off to Studio E's fabulous Protege band long past the First Morning.
Ringing in 2015 were co-chairwomen VirginiaDipucci (with John) and Judy Oliver(with Hale), who brilliantly orchestrated the high note that raised $115,000, as well as Pittsburgh Opera's general director Christopher Hahn with Ron Booth, Clyde Jones, beautiful Vivian and Bill Benter, Cynthia and Murry Gerber, Nadine Bognar, Dr. Lisa Cibik and Bernie Kobosky, Gene Welsh and David McAdams, Ken and Marina Lehn, andEnrico and Federica Dallavecchia with Alessandra.
Jean Horne is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.
