Praised by Le Monde for her “golden high register,” Sierra has performed at many of the leading opera houses around the world and is a winner of both the Richard Tucker Award and the Metropolitan Opera’s Beverly Sills Artist Award. A South Florida native and Dreyfoos School of the Arts alumni, Sierra began her opera career at Palm Beach Opera when she was 16, marking her professional operatic debut as the Sandman in the company’s 2004 production of “Hansel & Gretel.”
The evening began with an outdoor reception in the Mediterranean Courtyard at 6 p.m., featuring lavish hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Following the reception, guests moved in to the Mediterranean Ballroom and were welcomed by General & Artistic Director David Walker, who thanked all in attendance and introduced the evening’s guest artists.
“We are thrilled to celebrate our 60th Anniversary Season Gala with the incredible artistry of Nadine Sierra, who began her career right here at Palm Beach Opera,” said Walker. “Being able to present Nadine is a testament to the company’s impressive 60-year history and its impact on the industry, and we are immensely grateful to our Gala Council, Gala Host Committee, and Gala Chairs who have helped make this unforgettable event possible.”
The exclusive concert featured Sierra in recital with pianist Bryan Wagorn, who has worked closely with Sierra for over ten years and throughout her illustrious career. The acclaimed soprano performed opera arias from notable career performances and famed musical theater pieces. Sierra was also joined on stage by Palm Beach Opera Benenson Young Artist Moisés Salazar in an aria from “La traviata.”
After the concert, guests enjoyed a delectable cocktail and dessert reception in the Venetian Ballroom.
Gala sponsors and underwriters include: Gala Chairs Isanne and Sanford Fisher; Grand Gala Sponsor Veronica Atkins; Gala Council members Lee and Jeffrey Alderton, Veronica Atkins, Cynthia and Theodore Berenson, Meg and Robert Biscup, William and Solange Brown, Rebecca and Randell Doane, Robert and Julie Desnick, Sue and Paul Efron, Isanne and Sanford Fisher, Ann and Robert Fromer, Joan and David Genser, Mickey and Allan Greenblatt, Sanford Baklor and Arlene Kaufman, Florence Kaufman, Judy and Jerry Kaufman, Sidney and Dorothy Kohl, Marsha and Henry Laufer, Rhea and Morton Mandell, Donna K. and John Raggio, Ari Rifkin, Toni and Martin Sosnoff, and Dennis and Roseanne Williams; Gala Host Committee members Silver Sponsors Barbara Greis and Howard Gottlieb, and Frayda Lindemann; Fine Wine Underwriters Carla and David Herwitz; Gala Keepsake Underwriter Marc Solomon; Bronze Sponsors Ruth Baum, Gerald and Sandra Fineberg,, Beth Grosshans and Dennis Stattman, Paul and Roberta Kozloff, Monica and Scott Laurans, Nathan Leventhal, Nancy and Ellis Parker, and Jane and John Shalam; Recital Aria Underwriter Melissa Sullivan; Couple Sponsors Christine and Max Ansbrucher, Naomi Alexandroff-Brest and David Kaplan, David Brodsky, Nancy and Peter Brown, Louise Cohen, Linda and Edward Dweck, Esta and Robert Epstein, Arlette Gordon, Merill and Charles Gottesman, Linda and Peter Hoffman, Anne and Robet Krauss, Sam Lehrman, Wilma and Charles Mooney, and Barbara Goldfard Tepperman and Fred Tepperman