Past Special Events
Fall 2011 Gala
On Monday, November 28, 2011, New York City Opera held its Fall Gala at the Waldorf=Astoria to welcome Charles R. Wall as Chairman of the Board. The evening included electrifying performances by Rod Gilfry, Laquita Mitchell, Melody Moore, and Taylor Stayton, in selections from the upcoming season’s productions of La traviata, Così fan tutte, and Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna, as well as other opera favorites. Led by Gala Co-Chairs Susan L. Baker, Emilie Roy Corey, Caroline Cronson, Mary Sharp Cronson, Edmée Firth, Joan Granlund, James Marlas, Mark and Lorry Newhouse, Mrs. James C. Slaughter, and Svetlana and Herbert M. Wachtell, the event raised over $640,000 in support of City Opera. The glamorous evening marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the company’s history.DIVAS Shop for Opera 2011
On Tuesday, May 17, New York City Opera held its annual DIVAS: Shop for Opera event, transforming the chic SoHo event space 82 Mercer into a glamorous shopping paradise. DIVAS Co-Chairs Hamish Bowles, Michael Bruno, Patricia Field, and Lorry Newhouse shopped alongside fashionable guests including Gilles Mendel and Christian Siriano, while enjoying hors d'oeuvres by Mary Giuliani Catering and wine and spirits provided by Banfi Vintners. The fabulously discounted merchandise included pieces by Nanette Lepore, Versace, Zandra Rhodes, Armani, Manolo Blahnik, Zac Posen, Vera Wang, Luca Luca, Michael Kors, Chado Ralph Rucci, and Balenciaga. All proceeds from the evening benefit the design and creation of costumes for new City Opera productions.2011 Spring Gala
New York City Opera honored composer Stephen Schwartz at their Spring Gala on Thursday, April 21 in celebration of Schwartz's first opera, Séance on a Wet Afternoon. A champagne reception on the Promenade was followed by a dazzling concert with Kristin Chenoweth, Raúl Esparza, Victor Garber, and Ann Hampton Callaway performing some of the composer's best-loved songs from hit musicals like Wicked, Godspell, and Pippin. After the sold-out show, guests enjoyed dinner by Danny Meyer's Union Square Events and dancing to music by Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks on the Promenade.2011 Family Benefit
New York City Opera presented its Family Benefit on Saturday, April 9, featuring a concert performance of Oliver Knussen’s Where the Wild Things Are. Following the sold-out performance, which featured original artwork by Kids/Teens from the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation projected as scenic backdrops, guests enjoyed a family-friendly party on the Promenade. The party included a buffet lunch by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events, a costume try-on station, a craft table, face-painting, balloon animals, a make-your-own ice cream sundae bar, and a special appearance by a Wild Thing! All proceeds from the event benefited City Opera’s education programs, which bring music into the lives of over 5,000 students each year.For more information about upcoming New York City Opera events, please call the Special Events Office at 646.758.9460.