Archive
SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTERS
ADVERTISE| CLASSIFIEDS| JOBS| E-TRIB
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS NETWORK NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS NETWORK
Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source
Violinist Perlman is star attraction at Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's gala | TribLIVE.com
News

Violinist Perlman is star attraction at Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's gala

Kate Benz
ptrffpso08091415
John Altdorfer
Jennifer Susco earned a red carpet treatment during 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso20091415
John Altdorfer
Claudea Lanz enjoys a beverage during 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso19091415
John Altdorfer
Brittney Wozniak and Scott Hellberg were among the guests attending 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso18091415
John Altdorfer
Amy Haller was among the guests attending 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso17091415
John Altdorfer
Erica Dausch was among the guests attending 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso16091415
John Altdorfer
Judy Ehrenwerth takes a star turn during 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso14091415
John Altdorfer
Jae Babriak attended 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso13091415
John Altdorfer
Providing plenty of eye candy, Brittany Wozniak and Samantha Arnold hawked sweets during 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso12091415
John Altdorfer
Bryan Abbott provide sparkle plenty during 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso11091415
John Altdorfer
In their dress blues, Renee Williams and master sergeant Jeffery Garner earned a sartorial salute during 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso01091415
John Altdorfer
Violinist Itzhak Perlman joined Maestro Manfred Honeck on stage after performing during 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso10091415
John Altdorfer
Rachel Petrocelli was among the guests attending 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso09091415
John Altdorfer
Rock ’n’ roll impresario Rich Engler and his wife, Cindy, were among the guests attending 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso15091415
John Altdorfer
Nick Varischetti and Michael Herald at the front of the house during 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso07091415
John Altdorfer
Vivian and Bill Benter command center stage during 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso06091415
John Altdorfer
Event chairs Chris and Ann Donahue stepped up to the occasion during 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso05091415
John Altdorfer
Liz Juchno gets jazzy on the dance floor during 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso04091415
John Altdorfer
Incoming chairman Devin McGranahan joined his wife, Shannon, and PSO CEO and president Melia Tourangeau and her husband, Mike, during 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso03091415
John Altdorfer
Stephenie Anderson steals a look back during 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.
ptrffpso02091415
John Altdorfer
Outgoing board chair Dick Simmons joined his wife, Ginny, for 'Cinema Serenade,' the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Gala at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh. Sept. 12, 2015.

Any other audience may have been satisfied with two returns to the stage. Maybe even three.

But on Sept. 12, a full house at Heinz Hall, Downtown, stayed on their feet long enough to see to it that violinist Itzhak Perlman a Grammy Awards lifetime achievement awardee, and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra MaestroManfred Honeck returned to the stage five times for a standing “O” that shook the chandeliers.

“We truly live to play for you,” Honeck humbly responded.

The annual gala, dubbed “Cinema Serenade,” was inspired by the iconic music from the golden age of Hollywood. Apropos for a city that has traded its smokestacks for shot reels.

“This is the one city in the world where you can leave your home on a warm, sunny day and trip over snow mounds and almost be run over by the Batmobile,” Honeck laughed.

Themes from “Out of Africa,” “Far and Away,” “Sabrina” and “Schindler's List” kicked off the 120th season, which was dedicated to longtime board chair Dick Simmons (with Ginny), who will step down next month after a 25-year run.

“It's hard to put into words how much you've meant to this organization,” said prexy Melia Tourangeau (with Mike).

Afterward, everyone migrated to the Wyndham Grand, where the young and the restless opted for the after-party soiree while the gala ticket-holders noshed on a sit-down dinner.

Spied were chairs Ann andChristopher Donahue, Brenda and Steve Schlotterbeck, Bill andVivian Benter, incoming board chair Devin and Shannon McGranahan, Jim andElectra Agras, Nadine Bognar, Cindy andMurry Gerber, Dr. Tony andCathy DiGioia, Dennis andDiane Unkovic, soiree chairs Sarah andKevin Eddy and Bonnie andJay Mangold, Jr., and honorary soiree chairs Angela and Mike DeVanney, Steve Hackman, Michael Herald, and Nick Varischetti.

For the third consecutive year, the gala grossed more than $1 million.

Kate Benz is the society columnist for Trib Total Media and can be reached at kbenz@tribweb.com, 412-380-8515 or via Twitter @KateBenzTRIB.