Pianos tinkle, guests mingle at opera benefit
International opera star Luana DeVol opened her Tuscan-style home in Henderson’s Grand Legacy for a sold-out soiree for Opera Las Vegas the evening of June 8.
The beautiful evening, billed as “Dinner and a Show,” offered wine, song and a light supper.
The home’s large living room boasted two grand pianos and seating for all 70 guests, including Hal and Betsy Weller, Phyllis Haley, Wynn Schottelkorb, Joan Dimmitt, Blanche Bozarth, Bruce and Barbara Lee Woollen, Joan LeMere, Betty Miller, Sondra Lynch, Rosita Kanes and Michael Mott.
Opera Las Vegas board members attending were Jim Sohre, Gloria Allen, Shelia Callum, Alvida Lane, Sarah Carrol, Mark Thompson, Stephen Silberkraus and Opera Las Vegas President Caroline Orzes.
Sohre served as master of ceremonies for the fabulous entertainment, giving interesting introductions with great gusto for each performance.
The program commenced with “Rhapsody in Two” with Jonathan Gorst, accomplished pianist and conductor for the national tour of “Phantom of the Opera,” at one piano, and Spencer Baker, a Liberace scholar who received his Master of Music degree from UNLV, playing the other piano.
Mezzo-soprano Erin Gonzales sang well-known arias, followed by a duet from “Romeo et Juliette” by soprano Isabella Ivy and tenor Jonathan Mancheni. Mancheni also sang “Lonely House” from the American opera “Street Scene” by Kurt Weill. Erin Gonzales and Isabella Ivy also sang arias from “The Marriage of Figaro.”
The finale was the rousing “Drinking Song” from “La Traviata” performed by all the artists. Pianists Gorst and Baker concluded the show with their patriotic rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
More guests enjoying the soiree were Wallace Eastman, Bill McCarty, Maureen Hulin, Che Silberkraus, Hannah Jablin, Joyce Kessler, John Kreiger, and Wanda and Bruce La Follette.
Opera Las Vegas was formed in 1999. The organization raises funds for opera productions and a “Young Artists” program, which helps Opera Las Vegas achieve another goal of training young singers and providing opportunities for them to sing in fully produced operas.
