With a new home that’s the envy of opera companies worldwide, Opera Colorado had no choice but to do it up big for the opening of its 2005-06 season.
From a sumptuous dinner served amidst the opulent Design Works decor that transformed the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom into a scene from ancient Seville to Denyce Graves’ bravura performance in “Carmen,” the event chaired by Kalleen Malone harkened back to the good old days when every Opera Colorado opening had drama and flair, and the people-watching was as engaging as the productions.
Those were the days when co-founder Nat Merrill would arrive in his trademark cape with the scarlet lining, and his wife, chorus director Louise Sherman, wore gowns so spectacular they would elicit standing ovations of their own.
Sherman died of lung cancer several years ago, but Merrill was on hand for the festivities with his wife, Pamela Meyers Merrill, an honorary member of the Opera Colorado board. For dinner, they were seated with a group that included Sue Cannon, a past president of the Museum of Contemporary Art board; former Opera Colorado trustee Margaret Cunningham; Judith Ann Newman and Jim Bien; and Pam and Ed Diamond.
Gov. Bill Owens and his wife, Frances, were with Duet-level sponsors Ernie Blake and Sharon Magness Blake. Mayor John Hickenlooper showed, as did his predecessor, Wellington Webb, and his wife, Wilma. Ellie Caulkins, the opera company’s honorary lifetime chair and the namesake of its new home, was accompanied by her daughter, Mary, and Mary’s husband, Karl Kister.
Jeremy and Susan Shamos, co-chairs of the Opera Colorado board, were the title sponsors while benefactors Charles and Ursula Kafadar were watching to see how many of those around them were using the seat-back subtitling system (which he paid for) in The Ellie.
The evening concluded with a champagne-and-dessert reception, coordinated by Sunny Brownstein. Attorney Norm Brownstein served as host, standing in for his wife who was in New York helping their daughter, Callae, settle into a new apartment.
Opening night was a turnabout-is-fair-play thing for Willis and Dawn Fulenwider Wood. Since he’d treated her to a Paul McCartney concert at the Pepsi Center a few days before, she returned the favor by taking him to “Carmen.”
Other first-nighters: Opera Colorado Guild founder Nellie Mae Duman and her husband, Louis; Electra and Dr. Constantine Falliers with daughter, Danae, an artist in Santa Fe who’ll open her own gallery in March; Pete and Marilyn Coors; Dick and Marcia Robinson; Merle Chambers and Hugh Grant; Tom and Mary Meade; Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld; Trygve and Vicki Myhren; Kristin and Blair Richardson; Gregory and Carla Lucero Kolomitz; KC and Kelly Gallagher; Dianne Eddolls and Glenn Jones; Joe and Elizabeth Blake; and Roselyn Saunders.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
