Grand opera isn’t grand unless there’s plenty of drama, romance, lavish sets, fabulous costumes — and a plot twist or two.
Opera Colorado does grand opera well, and its flair for delivering the goods carries over to fundraising, as well. The 2010 Opera Colorado Gala was an elegant, well-attended event that had a whimsical surprise midway through the entertainment.
Guests expected to hear both arias and show tunes during a performance that followed cocktail hour and preceded dinner. But doo-wop? An unexpected treat that tied right into the gala’s theme of Under the Light of the Moon: Anything Can Happen.
Soprano Inna Dukach, tenor Richard Troxell and baritone Elliot Madore were just about finished with selections from Puccini, Verdi, Cole Porter and Rodgers & Hammerstein when mistress of ceremonies Pamela Armstrong announced, with a very straight face, that one of the provisions in Dukach’s contract was that her husband, Sean Altman, could appear with her on stage.
Not everyone knew that Altman is a singer/songwriter with a fondness for doo-wop, so it’s safe to say that some were startled when he joined his wife and her fellow performers to sing “O, mio babbino caro” from Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” in doo-wop rhythm. It was a kick and earned enthusiastic applause.
Three couples chaired the gala held at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House: Mike Hughes and Karen Brody, Marlis and Shirley Smith and Ben and Alessandra Schulein. An Allegro Committee headed by Tanya Mathews added 80 younger supporters to the 400 total guests.
Opera Colorado’s general director, Greg Carpenter, board chair Kenneth Barrow and board president Marcia Robinson helped the leadership team welcome such supporters as Ellie Caulkins; Jeremy and Susan Shamos; Pamela Merrill; Dianne Eddolls and Glenn Jones; Margaret Cunningham; Ted and Dorothy Horrell; Vince Abrue; Vicki and Harry Sterling; John and Nancy Stamper; Dick and Cathey Finlon; Debi and Jerry Tepper; Alex Orkow and Toni Palmer; Arlene and Don Johnson; Marie Belew Wheatley; Sherrye Berger; Pete and Melinda Douglas; Carol Whitley; Hugh Grant and Merle Chambers; and Marti Awad with fiance Eric Uhlberg.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
