Opera Santa Barbara to Honor Fred Sidon at 'Belle Epoque' Gala

Opera Santa Barbara will honor Emeritus Director Frederick Sidon at its annual Opera Ball gala on Friday, February 17, in the Four Seasons Biltmore's Loggia Ballroom.

"Belle Époque France" will be the theme of the fundraising event, which will include cocktails, dinner, and a live auction, as well as performances by the brilliant young soprano Jeanine De Bique and cast members from the company's upcoming production of The Cunning Little Vixen.

Mr. Sidon, who served as an Opera Santa Barbara Board director from 2001 to 2008, including four years as president (2004 to 2008), has spearheaded numerous initiatives throughout his association with the company, among them community outreach events and sponsored tours of Italy. He and his wife, Diane, were involved in Opera Santa Barbara's very first productions in 1994.

According to Opera Santa Barbara General Director Steven Sharpe, Mr. Sidon has contributed invaluably to the company's development.

"We are so thrilled to honor Fred Sidon at our annual gala. Opera Santa Barbara clearly would not be the company it is today without his insight and leadership," said gala co-chair Pat Andersons.

A resident of Santa Barbara since 1993, Mr. Sidon retired the year prior as president and CEO of Princeton Overseas Consulting Group, which specializes in corporate strategy. He previously served as a vice president and board director for the management development firm Kepner-Tregoe, where he oversaw office openings worldwide. He has lectured at Harvard Business School, the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University, and many institutions abroad. Currently president of the French Network of Santa Barbara, Mr. Sidon has been awarded two knighthoods by the French government, the Order of Arts and Letters and the National Order of Merit. He served as a faculty member at the first three Davos Symposiums (now known as the World Economic Forum).

The Opera Ball will begin at 6 pm on February 17 and include performances by State Street Ballet and the Santa Barbara Youth Opera, as well as an appearance by popular local deejay Gavin Roy. Andrew Firestone will serve as auctioneer. Tickets cost $300 per person; VIP tables for eight are available for $3,500. To purchase tickets, call 805.898.3890 or visit www.operasb.org/season/the-opera-ball. The Four Seasons Biltmore is located at 1260 Channel Drive in Santa Barbara

Opera Santa Barbara will present its new production of The Cunning Little Vixen on March 3 and 5, and will conclude its 2016-17 season with a production of La Rondine. Performances will take place at the Granada Theatre.

Founded in 1994 by Marilyn Gilbert and Nathan Rundlett, Opera Santa Barbara is committed to presenting productions and educational programs of the highest quality. Over more than two decades the company has staged some 50 operas and devoted thousands of hours to community outreach. The organization remains dedicated to the core passions that animated its founding: celebrating and championing the breadth and beauty of opera, and contributing to the cultural enrichment of the Santa Barbara community. Additional information is available at www.operasb.org.

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