Love was the theme of Calgary Opera’s Valentine Ball held Feb 11 in the Crystal Ballroom at the Fairmont Palliser. As Calgary Opera general director and CEO Bob McPhee noted ” It is often said that opera is the ultimate art from. It includes music, singing, dancing, acting, costuming, lighting and scenery-on a grand scale. Cultivating a love for opera is easier than you think and choosing your first opera is like choosing your first love affair.”
Scores of guests donned their Valentine’s finest to attend Calgary Opera’s signature fundraising event of the year. Performances from Calgary Opera Emerging Artists, fabulous food, superb silent auction items, a stirring video presentation entitled Opera is Forever and dancing until midnight with The Barry Shaw Band ensured all in attendance had a marvelous evening.
For many however, the highlight was performances by Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist Development Program alumni Andrew Love-direct from his lead role on Broadway in Les Miserables and rising Canadian soprano Lida Szlwarek. These amazing talents were joined by current Emerging Artists Lauren Woods, Anne-Marie MacIntosh, Morgan Traynor, Matt Chittick, Simon Chalifoux, Jason Ragan and Johnathon Kirby. That proceeds from the ball were directed to the Emerging Artists Program ensures that opera truly is forever.
Take a well deserved curtain-call gala co-chairs Jerilyn Wright and Sharie Hunter. And bravo to volunteer gala committee members: Rob Mabee; Kerrie Penney; Katrina Olsen-Mottahed; Patti Dibski; Tamara Meeres; Brenda Stech; Holly Marshall; and Allie Lynch.
Others in attendance this night included: Coun. Evan Wooley and his wife Andrea Wettstein; Patrick Hunter, proud spouse of ball co-chair Sharie Hunter; Billington Barristers’ Richard Billington, Q.C. and his wife Susan Billington, Q.C.; National Music Centre president and CEO Andrew Mosker and his wife Ingrid Mosker with Julianne McKinnon and her husband Lachlin McKinnon, board member, Calgary Opera; Canada West Foundation president and CEO Martha Hall Findlay with Daniel Paille; tireless arts supporters Suncor’s Arlene Strom and Colin Jackson; Opera board member Don Swystun; RESOLVE’s Maryann Steen; past board chair Evan Hazell with board member Jackie Pyke; board chair Michael Brown and his wife Susanne Brown; avid arts supporters David Foy and his wife Bev Foy, board member, The Canada Council for the Arts; Opera publicist Ryan McCaffrey; and Dentons Canada LLP’s Laura Estep with Ryan Jennings.
Calgary Opera’s Valentine Ball held Feb 11 at the Fairmont Palliser was a feast for the senses and included fabulous food and amazing entertainment. Pictured with Calgary Opera general director and CEO Bob McPhee are the talented volunteer ball co-chairs Jerilyn Wright (left) and Sharie Hunter.
Striking a diva pose at Calgary Opera’s Valentine Ball held Feb 11 at the Fairmont Palliser are Calgary Opera Emerging Artists Lauren Woods, Anne-Marie MacIntosh and Morgan Traynor.
Pictured, from leftt, at Calgary Opera’s Valentine Ball held Feb 11 at the Fairmont Palliser are Coun. Evan Wooley and his wife Andrea Wettstein with ball volunteer co-chair Sharie Hunter and her husband Patrick Hunter. The glam gala was the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s with one’s sweetheart.
Legal eagles Richard Billington, Q.C. and his wife Susan Billington, Q.C. had a wonderful time at Calgary Opera’s Valentine Ball held Feb 11 at the Fairmont Palliser. Fabulous food and entertainment ensured all in attendance had a marvelous time-all the while supporting our beloved Calgary Opera.
Pictured, from left, at Calgary Opera’s Valentine Ball held Feb 11 at the Fairmont Palliser are National Music Centre president and CEO Andrew Mosker and his wife Ingrid Mosker with Julianne McKinnon and her husband Lachlin McKinnon, board member, Calgary Opera.
Looking fashionably fabulous at Calgary Opera’s Valentine Ball held Feb 11 at the Fairmont Palliser are, from left, gala volunteer committee member Kerrie Penney and her husband, Calgary Opera board member Don Swystun and RESOLVE’s Maryann Steen.
All smiles at Calgary Opera’s Valentine Ball held Feb 11 at the Fairmont Palliser are board chair Michael Brown and his wife Susanne Brown. Fabulous food and entertainment were but a few of the evening’s highlights.
Calgary Opera board member Jackie Pyke and board past chair Evan Hazell pictured at Calgary Opera’s Valentine Ball held Feb 11 at the Fairmont Palliser.
Avid arts supporters David Foy and his wife Bev Foy, board member, The Canada Council for the Arts, had a marvelous time at Calgary Opera’s Valentine Ball held Feb 11 at the Fairmont Palliser.
Dentons Canada LLP’s Laura Estep is flanked by the two Ryan’s- Ryan Jennings (left) and Ryan McCaffrey at Calgary Opera’s Valentine Ball held Feb 11 at the Fairmont Palliser.
Pictured, from left, at Calgary Opera’s Valentine Ball held Feb 11 at the Fairmont Palliser are Daniel Paille, Canada West Foundation president and CEO Martha Hall Findlay, Suncor’s Arlene Strom and avid arts supporter Colin Jackson.
