Palm Beach Opera celebrated the company’s upcoming gala and honored 2023 Gala Chairs Merrill and Charles Gottesman with an intimate performance by resident artists at Lee Ann and Jeffrey Alderton’s Palm Beach home on January 5th.
Palm Beach Opera’s largest annual fundraising event, the gala showcases an internationally-recognized opera star over an elegant dinner at an opulent venue. This season, the 2023 Gala will feature an exclusive performance by Piotr Beczała at The Breakers Palm Beach on Feb. 6.
Attendees included invited guests and the company’s Gala Council and Gala Host Committee Members. The reception featured a lovely buffet, cocktails, and passed hors d’oeuvres. Jeffrey Alderton welcomed guests, expressed gratitude for the gala supporters in attendance, and acknowledged the efforts of Gala Chairs Merrill and Charles. Along with his wife Lee, Alderton also shared his admiration for the company’s growing board of directors and dedicated administrative staff.
General & Artistic Director David Walker recognized the Gala Host Committee, Gala Council, and Gala Chairs for their support, and shared insights into the company’s continued impact. Each season, more than 1,000 singers from across the country and abroad apply for PBO’s nationally-recognized resident artist training programs. The singers train with esteemed guest faculty, appear on the mainstage in supporting roles, add strength to the chorus, and gain valuable performance and technical experience over a five-month residency. In addition to their efforts in artist training, Palm Beach Opera also provides diverse education and community engagement programs across Palm Beach County at no cost. This season, the company plans to reach over 20,000 individuals.
“Thanks to the passion of our Gala Chairs, Gala Host Committee, and Gala Council, we are presenting another world-renowned opera star at this year’s gala. Against the backdrop of The Breakers’ iconic venue, the intimate performance by sought-after tenor Piotr Beczała is sure to make for an unforgettable evening,” said Walker. “Matched with the continued impact of our rigorous artist training programs and meaningful arts education, Palm Beach Opera is poised for another successful season of community engagement, growth, and incredible artistry.”
PBO Bailey Apprentice Artists Maria Vasilevskaya, Bergsvein Toverud, and Edward Bland performed a selection of opera and musical arias accompanied by PBO pianist and vocal coach Ksenia Leletkina. More than 75 guests attended the intimate event.
Palm Beach Opera’s Gala Host Committee Reception was attended by Jeffrey and Lee Ann Alderton, Stefano and Carole Acunto, John Archer and Kip O’Brien, Anne Bazik, Robert and Meg Biscup, Stanley and Roberta Bogen, David Brodsky, Anne Carmichael, Julie and Robert Desnick, David and Joan Genser, Charles and Merrill Gottesman, Frederic Friedman and Cathy Demain Mann, Arlette Gordon, Allan and Mickey Greenblatt, Judy and Jerry Kaufman, Paulette Koch, Ingrid Kosowsky, Paul Kozloff, Martin and Susan McGuinn, Stephen Mottola, Anka Palitz, Donna K. Raggio and John Raggio, James and Jennifer Takats, Sanford Baklor and Maxine Marks, and Palm Beach Opera’s General & Artistic Director David Walker among others.
For information on Palm Beach Opera’s 2023 Gala, please contact Director of Development Barbara Tucker at btucker@pbopera.org.