A Golden Opening Night

A MEMORABLE AFFAIR
Placido Domingo and Michael Sonnenreich wanted to make sure that prominent opera lovers Be y Knight Scripps, Ina Ginsburg, Jacqueline Badger Mars, Jo Ann Mason, Lucky Roosevelt, John Pohanka and Librarian of Congress James Billington, among others, would never forget the celebration of the Washington National Opera’s 50th Anniversary Season. A er a daring opening night production of the rarely presented “I Vespri Siciliani,” there was no doubt they succeeded. The opera fueled much dinner conversation a er Domingo explained that it would have been much easier to produce a very popular opera, like “Carmen” or “Aida,” to mark the occasion.

DESIGNER DUDS
No celebration would be complete without gorgeous gowns. Grega Daly was one of the many fashion standouts in a hot black Oscar de la Renta gown. Rima Al-Sabah and Cindy Jones wore striking creations by Emanuel Ungaro.

PICTURE PERFECT
Much of the set design featured grand picture frames, which were used to isolate plot lines as various paintings fl ashed across the stage. Be y Casey, whose family foundation underwrote the several multi-million dollar production, shared that she was pleased that everyone seemed happy.

Susan and Samuel Lehrman

Marcelle and Sen. Patrick Leahy and Corey van Rotz

Marvin Hamlisch and Jacqueline Mars	Party Favors

John Pohanka, Betty Scripps and James Billington

Michael and Linda Sonnenreich	Shane Doty and Rima Al-Sabah

Placido Domingo and Betty Casey	Evan and Cindy Jones

Cheryl Mills, Mary Jo Kirk and Dianne Wolf	Daphne and Gary Rappaport, Jo Ann Mason and Susan Lehrman

Leo and Grega Daly and Prince Ali Aziz	Placido Domingo

Marshall Thompson and Janet Black	Dr. and Mrs. Paul Averback

Amber Schultz and Jane Cafritz	Calvin Cafritz

Heather Vinant and Michael Flanagan	Andrew Reese and Jennice Fuentes

Maria Galeghine, John Brudall and Selwa “Lucky” Roosevelt

PHOTOS BY KYLE SAMPERTON