PALM BEACH OPERA Toasts Upcoming Productions & Major Donors At Season Opening Celebration

Philanthropists Drs. Marsha and Henry Laufer hosted Palm Beach Opera's annual Season Opening Celebration at their Manalapan home on Friday, Dec. 1 to kick off the company's upcoming season, and to celebrate the company's Co-Producer Society members, Goldner Center for Children's Opera Education supporters, and Benenson Young Artist and Apprentice Artist Program sponsors.

Evening participants included the company's major supporters of its artistic and production efforts, educational and community engagement initiatives, and its continued training programs of the next generation of opera singers.

"We are thrilled for the opportunity to celebrate those in our opera family whose incredible support allows us to provide extraordinary world-class art, high-quality artistic training, and a lasting, meaningful impact on so many in our community," said Managing Director David Walker.

At the annual Season Opening Celebration, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and passed hors d'oeuvres on the Laufer's waterfront back terrace, followed by an intimate recital featuring selections from the company's upcoming productions, as well as other classical favorites, performed by Palm Beach Opera's Benenson Young Artists and Apprentice Artists. Guests were also treated to a gourmet, seated three-course dinner.

General Director Daniel Biaggi was in attendance, toasting the evening's hosts, Drs. Marsha and Henry Laufer, sharing insights into the company's upcoming mainstage productions, and celebrating the impact that those in attendance provide through the variety of their support.

"We are very much looking forward to our upcoming productions," said Biaggi. "Our season includes audience favorites, an exciting new co-production, and Palm Beach Opera's first fully-staged Bernstein production. With the recent addition of our Apprentice Artist Program, we are also able to provide even more unique and exciting educational programs throughout this community."

Palm Beach Opera opens its season in January with Giacomo Puccini's Tosca, followed by the company premiere of Leonard Bernstein's Candide in February, and closes with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro in March.

The exclusive evening concluded with dessert, and a gracious closing by Drs. Marsha and Henry Laufer, encouraging all in attendance to sing along in the evening's final ensemble number, "It's a Grand Night for Singing," from Rodgers and Hammerstein's State Fair.

Palm Beach Opera's Season Opening Celebration was attended by hosts Drs. Marsha and Henry Laufer, General Director Daniel Biaggi, Board Chairman Dennis Williams and his wife, Roseanne, Jeffery and Lee Ann Alderton, Gladys Benenson, Bill and Solange Brown, Delphine Daft, John and Susan Domenico, Damaris D. W. Ford, Robert and Ann Fromer, David and Joan Genser, Paul and Sandra Goldner, Allan and Mickey Greenblatt, Charles and Merrill Gottesman, Peter and Linda Hoffman, Joseph Horton and Michael McCafferty, Amin and Julie Khoury, Mary Montgomery, Jennifer Myerberg, John and Lynn Pohanka, Lois Pope and Brian Wells, Martin and Toni Sosnoff, John and Karin Strasswimmer, and Palm Beach Opera's Managing Director, David Walker.

For information on Palm Beach Opera's Co-Producer Society, or to learn more about education or artistic training sponsorship opportunities, please contact David Walker, Managing Director, at 561-835-7558.

Palm Beach Opera is dedicated to producing live opera at an international standard of excellence and to enriching the life of the communities it serves with a diverse offering of educational programs. Founded in 1961, the fully professional Palm Beach Opera presents main stage performances at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach and is a proud member of OPERA America and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.

Photo Credit: Frank Ammaccapane, Natural Expressions, NY

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