West Palm Beach, FL (Oct. 29) – As part of celebrations for its upcoming 2018-2019 season, Palm Beach Opera held a private dinner at The Lotos Club in New York City, hosted by Palm Beach Opera board member Florence Kaufman.
The evening was attended by 50 Palm Beach Opera supporters, and began in the ballroom with a cocktail reception featuring passed hors d’oeuvres. General Director Daniel Biaggi welcomed those in attendance and acknowledged Kaufman, who is also a Lotos Club member, before guests enjoyed an exclusive recital featuring two of Palm Beach Opera’s Benenson Young Artists, soprano Sylvia D’Eramo and mezzo-soprano Natalie Rose Havens, accompanied by pianist Brent Funderburk.
Following the performance, guests were escorted to the library for a gourmet, seated dinner. Between courses, Biaggi toasted the evening’s hostess, Kaufman, who then greeted and celebrated all in attendance. Biaggi also recognized special guests Dona D. Vaughn and Anthony V. Manoli. Vaughn will direct Palm Beach Opera’s production of “Die Fledermaus,” and pianist Manoli will accompany globally-celebrated tenor Matthew Polenzani at the company’s 2019 Gala, which takes place at Eau Palm Beach on March 2.
The Lotos Club evening was the highlight of a series of events that took place during Palm Beach Opera’s three-day stay in New York City, from Oct. 9-11. Other events included performances of “Samson et Dalila” and “Aida” at The Metropolitan Opera, pre-performance dinners at both The Grand Tier Restaurant and Gabriel’s Bar and Restaurant, and a board of director’s meeting held at the Lotos Club.
“Our annual trip to New York provides a wonderful opportunity for our supporters to experience opera, enjoy behind-the-scenes tours, and deepen their own friendships during many special events,” said Managing Director David Walker. “Our evening at the Lotos Club also provided a unique opportunity to thank many of our major supporters and board members for being such an important part of our opera family.”
Among those in attendance were Palm Beach Opera General Director Daniel Biaggi, Board Chairman Dennis Williams and his wife, Roseanne, Jeffrey Alderton, Gladys Benenson, Robert and Meg Biscup, Arlene Blau, Stanley Bogen, David Brodsky, Dan Cochran and Greg Sutphin, Paul and Sue Efron, Barbara Fisher, Robert and Ann Fromer, David and Joan Genser, Charles and Merrill Gottesman, Peter and Linda Hoffman, Florence Kaufman, Marsha Laufer, Roger and Claude Lourie, Anita Meltzer, Anka Palitz, James and Jennifer Takats, Fran Weissler, Marc Wise, and Palm Beach Opera Managing Director David Walker.