Brig. Gen. Greg Ihde, from left, Sally Ihde, Terri Eden, Tom Eden, Jeannie Goldfein and Maj. Gen. Steve Goldfein enjoy the Opera Las Vegas event at the Eden home in Canyon Gate. Photos by MARIAN UMHOEFER/REVIEW-JOURNAL Maj. Gen. Steve Goldfein, from left, Margie Conway, Jeanne Greenawalt and Irwin Kishner stand ready for the presentation and posting of the colors by the Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard. Terri and Tom Eden host the "Diamonds in the Sky in the Garden of Eden" fundraiser party for Opera Las Vegas on Saturday at their home. John Pilkington, from left, Julie Pilkington, Hans Dorweiler and Arlene Dorweiler are among the guests at Saturday's fundraiser for Opera Las Vegas. Robert Tota sings the national anthem for guests. Judy Moore, from left, Gayle Rogers, Alvida Lane, Margie Conway and Eleanor Koch greet arriving guests at the Opera Las Vegas fundraiser in Canyon Gate.

With an Independence Day theme, Terri and Tom Eden opened their Canyon Gate home to celebrate Opera Las Vegas with a benefit titled "Diamonds in the Sky in the Garden of Eden."

The event Saturday was on the Edens' beautiful grounds surrounding their pool overlooking the manicured lawn of Canyon Gate Country Club. Arriving guests, including Bernice Fischer, Persia and Jim Golden, Susan Houston, Arlene and Hans Dorweiler, Lisa Heck, Isabel Pfeifer, and Julie and John Pilkington, had their picture snapped as they walked the red carpet to the poolside wine reception.

Master chef Gustav Mauler and his team prepared the evening's savory cuisine, beginning with hand-passed hors d'oeuvres of seared beef tenderloin crostini, bruschetta, endive leaves with grape and walnut chicken salad, and sun-dried tortilla wraps consisting of grilled vegetables with herbs and goat cheese.

Among those enjoying the appetizers were Jeanne Greenawalt and Irwin Kishner, Lia Roberts and Steve Fleming, Angie Wallin, Susan and Richard Holtan, Suzanna and Michael Canales, Ruth Busser and Jack Duffy, Mehdi Ansarinia, and Ruth and Jack Lillis.

Beverly and Mike Mykisen spoke about their upcoming trip to Nepal and Tibet.

The program began with the presentation and posting of colors by the Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard: Blanco Daniel, Michael Cantu, Tanya Cox and Gary Johnson. Special guests attending were Brig. Gen. Greg Ihde and wife, Sally; and Maj. Gen. Steve Goldfein and wife, Jeannie. Also attending was Margie Conway, military coordinator for the event.

Joyce LaGrange, president of the board of Opera Las Vegas, spoke about the organization's mission to produce and provide excellent opera and operettas to Southern Nevada. She presented visionary awards to Gayle Rogers and Phyllis Lee Haley, thanking them for their monetary support. Gayle Anderson, chief of diplomatic relations and protocol for the state of Nevada, presented a plaque to Terri and Tom Eden that was signed by Gov. Kenny Guinn and Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt.

Dining tables around the pool and on the grass were named for famous operas. Centerpieces were live plants with American flags. Guests, including Sandy Peltyn, Caroline Michaels, Alvida and Bill Lane, Eleanor Koch, Sara Johnson-Robles, Patricia Derrick, Betsy Fiore, and Cynthia and Perry Knause, dined on Caesar salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, barbecued salmon, chicken shish kebabs and beef kebabs, Spanish paella with chicken and shrimp and chorizo sausage, accompanied by balsamic roasted vegetables.

Nate Tannenbaum, KTNV-TV, Channel 13 meteorologist, conducted a live auction for high tea at the Four Seasons that was won by Kay and Allen Browne; a golf foursome at Dragon Ridge Country Club won by Bruce and Denise Vinci; a 1/8 carat green diamond ring set in 14-karat gold won by Simona Mitrico.

Also, Sandy Peltyn was the high bidder for the Judith Lieber Swarovski crystal evening bag. Gayle Rogers donated a patriotic ring of rubies, diamonds and blue sapphires that went home with Julianna McRae. A Baccarat crystal swan (one of 150 limited edition from the Paris exhibition) was won by Christopher and Anita Murray, and Terri Eden made the final bid for a one-plus carat round brilliant diamond with certification.

Following the auction, guests were invited into the Eden home for a musical program. Artistic director Gloria Allen introduced pianist Bud Crystal, who accompanied the artists. Sopranos Danielle White, Rachel von Hoffman and Kimberly Dawn Fowler entertained with lilting arias from well-known operas. They were joined by tenor Stephen Plummer and baritones Robert West and Robert Tota.

Following the opera selections, all guests, including Charlotte Barnes, Sue Christal, Linda Tannenbaum, Gweneth Den Dooven, T.J. Eden, Sandee and James Comito, Karen and Marty Foster, Frankie Randall, Melinda Reid, Denise Mauler, Marco Varella, Monica Fuller, Mojgan Vazee, Myra Gouge, Leonard Gross, Floss Schumacher and Sondra Lynch, returned to the garden to enjoy a giant American flag cake, which was served with fruit tarts and fresh fruit. As they ate, Canyon Gate's fireworks extravaganza lit up the night sky.

Judy Moore was committee chairwoman, assisted by Margie Conway, Terri Eden, Sandra and Jim Frank, Eleanor Koch, Alvida Lane, Gayle Rogers, Sally Warthen and Monica Wiesemann.

Opera Las Vegas will present a performance of "Carmen" on Oct. 15 at the Las Vegas Art Museum.