The Opera Ball
A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Washington National Opera held its annual ball on June 5 at the residence of British Ambassador Sir David Manning and Lady Manning. As always, numerous embassies held pre-ball dinners, including the Japanese Embassy, which served a multi-course meal that no restaurant could rival. After dinner, over 500 guests headed to the Brits’ for dancing and a dessert buffet from Occasions Caterers. The residence was beautifully decorated in a “Midsummer Night’s Dream” theme with the impressive British Rose Garden as a backdrop.

The ball grossed over $3 million, thanks to the $1 million contribution by chairwoman Betty Knight Scripps. Proceeds from the ball benefit the opera’s performances, as well as education and community programs.

Corey Evan Rotz, John Matz, Justice Antonin Scalia and Glen Norris

Patricia Sagon and Charles Miller	Justice Stephen Breyer with Swedish Amb. Jan Eliasson and his wife, Kerstin

General Peter Pace with his wife, Lynne	“Midsummer Night’s Dream” fairies

Zbigniew and Muska Brzezinski	Peter Duchin

Betsy Knight Scripps and British Ambassador Sir David Manning	G. William Miller and Lady Manning

Japanese Ambassador Ryozo Kato and his wife, Hanayo

Maximo Flugelman and Linda Stern

former Spanish Ambassador Javier Ruperez and Michael Sonnenreich

Photos by Kyle Samperton