Event Date: April 13, 2024
Location: Wortham Theater Center
Event: Gala
Beneficiaries: Houston Grand Opera
No. in attendance: 450
Money raised: $1,300,000
Chairpersons: Isabel and Ignacio “Nacho” Torras
Décor and Florals: The Events Company
Cuisine: MAD, BCN Taste & Tradition and Rocambolesc
Entertainment: Isabel Leonard and the children singers from HGO’s The Sound of Music
Photography: Katy Anderson and Michelle Watson
Our City’s Arts Were Reflected at Houston Grand Opera’s “Mirror Ball”
Isabel and Ignacio “Nacho” Torras, the driving force behind the success of Houston Grand Opera’s “Mirror Ball,” led a united front of over 450 supporters. Their unwavering love for our city’s vibrant arts scene was showcased at the event, a testament to their collective effort that raised over $1.3 million for the Opera’s community initiatives.
The grandeur of the evening was evident from the moment guests set foot on the spirited red carpet at Wortham’s Fish Plaza, navigating the mirrored archways and reflection pond as they entered the Grand Foyer. The Events Company, entrusted with creating the evening’s ambiance, made no small plans. Their choice of sky-high silver drapes, tinseled chandeliers, mirrored holographic tablescapes, and fuchsia blooms was a testimony to the scale and magnificence of the event.
As guests were seated for dinner, a delightful surprise awaited them. The young singers playing the Von Trapp children in HGO’s almost sold-out musical production of The Sound of Music performed a surprise rendition of “So Long, Farewell.” This was followed by a three-course culinary experience curated by the aforementioned chairpersons from two of their acclaimed Houston eateries, MAD and BCN Taste & Tradition. The dessert was a true surprise, both in taste and presentation. MAD’s popular peanut nougat, Spanish wine, and salted-caramel Chocolate Bar was accented by a scoop of gelato from Rocambolesc and served tableside by young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. These young people are part of the Rocambolesc Genuine Program, which offers them professional opportunities, thereby helping them learn and grow.
The sweet course also presented another musical moment. Grammy-winning and international operatic mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, who debuts as Maria in HGO’s upcoming The Sound of Music, was joined by members of the HGO Chorus to perform a rousing performance of “Habanera” from Bizet’s Carmen.
The evening continued with a unique experience for the guests. The lowering of a giant mirror ball and the playing of high-energy music from Nashville-based Universal Crush signaled the timely end of dinner and the beginning of the short trek to the mirrored dance floor. Everyone was on their feet as disco-ball-masked dancers fired up the crowd. Drinks served in disco ball tumblers and party-themed eyeglasses added to the evening’s excitement, which lasted until the clock struck midnight! Another Opera Ball for the record books!
In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned): Khori Dastoor, Patrick Summers, Jack Bell, Tom Ajamie, Janet and John Carrig, Claire Liu and Joe Greenberg, Beth Madison, Sushila and Durga Agrawal, Anne and Albert Chao, Marianne and Joe Geagea, Teresa and José Ivo, Margaret Alkek Williams, David Wuthrich, Rachelle and Jeff Ball, Jim and Dancie Ware, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, Penny and Paul Lloyd, Lori and David LePori, Elizabeth and Ilyas Colombowala, Isabel and Danny David, Allyson Pritchet and Brian Dunham, Dian and Harlan Stai, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Jim and Molly Crownover, Dina Alsowayel and Tony Chase, Betty and Jess Tutor, Rachel and Warren Ellsworth, Ann and Jonathan Ayre, Myrtle Jones, Charlene and Tym Tombar, Ana María Martínez and Gaby Attal, Marcia and Alfredo Vilas, Sarah and Bryant Lee, C.C. and Duke Ensell, Duyen and Marc Nguyen, Beth Muecke, Kirk Kveton and Daniel Irion, Karen Payne, Carey Kirkpatrick and Joel Luks
