Ars Lyrica Houston Breaks Fundraising Record With Surprise Wedding At A Mid-Winter Night's Dream Gala

On Saturday, February 23, Ars Lyrica Houston surpassed its previous fundraising record at its magical loved-themed A Mid-Winter Night's Dream Gala which also included a surprise wedding! This gala, honoring Dr. Sippi Khurana and chaired by Stephanie von Stein and Dr. Mark A. Schusterman, took place at the modern luxury Hotel Alessandra in downtown Houston. Gala proceeds support Ars Lyrica's biennial Baroque opera productions, which began in Fall 2018 with Handel's Agrippina at the Hobby Center, a production that played to rave reviews.

Gala guests were welcomed by harpist Joanna Whitsett into the transformed modern luxury Hotel Alessandra and led to the second floor, where cocktails and hors d'oeuvres awaited. Doors to the main ballroom opened to reveal decorations and design by Debbie Pazkaban and Hanh Gallery complete with a flower wall and delicate magnolia leaf name cards.

Guests were delighted by the artistry of the gala honoree, Dr. Sippi Khurana with her impromptu performance of a Vivaldi's violin concerto movement accompanied by lute. The musical performance continued with the evening's spirited program, including selections by Purcell and Spanish Baroque composers that featured Ars Lyrica artists mezzo-soprano Cecilia Duarte, lutenist Arash Noori, and percussionist J sus Pacheco, with remarks by Artistic Director Matthew Dirst.

Guests were then swept away with the biggest surprise of the evening as gala chair Stephanie von Stein entered from the back of ballroom in a white gown, and walked down the aisle to Schubert's Ave Maria. All eyes were on the beautiful couple as they exchanged vows and were announced Dr. and Mrs. Mark A. Schusterman. Love was palpable in the ballroom as the evening continued with seated dinner, catered by Hotel Alessandra's continental European cuisine restaurant Lucienne on a wintry whimsical theme.

This glamourous evening concluded with an upbeat after-party chaired by Amanda Kingston-Beetle, featuring DJ Forrest.Those in attendance included: gala honoree Dr. Sippi Khurana and Ajay Khurana, gala chairs Stephanie von Stein & Dr. Mark A. Schusterman, gala after-party chair Amanda Kingston-Beetle, Beth Madison, Drs. Warren and Rachel Ellsworth, Beth Wolf, Farida Abjani, Tammy and Wayne Nguyen, David Peck, Alyssa Pasek-Davidson, Kristina and Paul Somerville, Hallie Vanderhider, Darrin Davis & Mario Gudmundsson, Drs. Ishwaria and Vivek Subbiah, Connie Kwan-Wong, Miya Shay.


Proceeds from this gala support the 2020/21 Ars Lyrica Houston production of Purcell's Dido and Aneas, the next installment in Ars Lyrica's biennial series of Baroque opera productions in Houston. Ars Lyrica Houston has become a leader in the performance of early music through its acclaimed performances and recordings of a wide range of Baroque repertoire, including operas. These theatrical spectacles offer full immersion in the world of 17th- and 18th-century culture, with elaborate scenic design, virtuosic singing, stylized dances, colorful orchestras, and profoundly human stories. No other musical genre from this era has the same capacity to move, excite, and inspire audiences and Houston audiences will now be able to savor locally produced Baroque opera every other year!

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