The Houston Grand Opera's 2014 Opera Ball, Fleurs de l'Opéra, Raises Over $2 Million

Houston Grand Opera presented the 2014 Opera Ball, Fleurs de l'Opéra, Saturday, April 5, at 7 p.m. in the Wortham Theater Center. With more than six hundred guests in attendance, the sold-out gala raised $2 million to support the company's internationally renowned performances and community programs that distinguish HGO as one of America's great opera companies.

Event chair Mrs. Margaret Alkek Williams welcomed friends of HGO to the annual white tie ball for an elegant evening of enchantment and celebration. The event theme paid tribute to "flowers of the opera," carried out by The Events Company's design in the Wortham Theater Center's Grand Foyer, which included 9,500 peonies, 18,000 roses, 28,000 strung dendrobium orchid blossoms, 5,000 stems of hydrangea, 300 stems of hybrid delphinium, 400 branches of forsythia, 500 branches of apple blossoms, and 150 branches of dogwood.

Led by principal Jackson Hicks, Jackson and Company created a French-themed menu that included mousse de foie gras, côtelettes d' agneau, and crème brûlée. Champagne provided by event underwriters Perrier?Jouët flowed freely as guests enjoyed exceptional entertainment underwritten byLester and Sue Smith. Two dance pieces were presented by the Houston Grand Opera's dancers from the upcoming production of Carmen,choreographed by acclaimed director and choreographer Rob Ashford. For the final performance, Grammy award-winning soprano Ana María Martínez sang two exceptional arias, "Seguidilla" from Carmen and "Carceleras" from Las Hijas del Zebedeo.

Immediately following Fleurs de l'Opéra, young professionals kicked off the Encore Party-a lively "after party"- that took place from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Chaired by Heather Pray, the Encore Party featured a full bar in the Grand Foyer, dancing to tunes spun by DJ Yogi G, and a midnightbreakfast.

"Houston Grand Opera is known for its spectacular, elegant, and classy special events and this year's Opera Ball was absolutely no exception," said HGO Managing Director Perryn Leech. "It was a true pleasure to work with our Chair - the epitome of class - Margaret Alkek Williams, to bring her beautiful vision of Fleurs de l'Opera to life for such an unforgettable evening . It is incredibly gratifying to have such wonderful support from our generous underwriters and donors who helped make this year's Ball the most successful to date."

Auction chairmen Isabel and Danny David orchestrated a splendid silent auction. Mary and Dr. Mark D' Andrea and Valerie and Tracy Dieterich served as the wine auction co-chairs.

Generous underwriters of the event included Margaret Alkek Williams, Tony and Zoe Buzbee, Jerry and Bobbie-Vee Cooney, Bill and Sara Morgan, Beth Madison, Andrew and Brucie Moore, Harlan and Dian Stai, Lester and Sue Smith, Scotty and Jana Arnoldy, Philip and Denise Bahr, Robert and Donna Bruni, Max and Donna Josey Chapman, Godwin Lewis, H-E-B, Al Lasher III, Katherine G. McGovern, Mark and Gina Metts, Nabors Industries, Anthony and Cynthia Petrello, Ray C. Fish Foundation, Brian Teichman, and John G. Turner and Jerry G. Fischer. Opera Ball Champions were Tony and Zoe Buzbee, Nini Jewels and Saks Fifth Avenue.

The impressive list of other notable attendees included Jana Arnoldy, Jason and Lindley Arnoldy, Robin Angly and Miles Smith, Dr. Devinder and Gina Bhatia, Daniel and Pat Breen, Mark and Martha Carnes, Zane and Brady Carruth, Clarence and Ann Cazalot, Victor Costa and Jerry Ann Woodfin, Dr. Lynda Chin and Dr. Ron DePinho, David and Estela Cockrell, Jim and Molly Crownover, The Honorable David Dewhurst and Tricia Dewhurst, The Honorable Ed Djerejian and Francois Djerejian, Diane Lokey Farb, Martin and Kelli Cohen Fein, Joanne King Herring, Frank and Michelle Hevrdejs, Janet Langford Kelly and John Carrig, Susan Krohn, Carol and Michael Linn, Dr. Michael and Loraine Lyons, Frances Marzio, Scott and Soraya McClelland, Dr. John Mendelsohn, T.R. and Isla Reckling, Glen Rosenbaum, Dr. Dick and Susan Stasney, Ignacio Torras, The Honorable Bill White and Andrea White, John Eddie and Sheridan Williams, Roger and Sherrill Winter, Dan and Lori Wolterman, and Lynn Wyatt.