Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO OPERA THEATER ANNOUNCES
THE 2008 SPRING GALA FEATURING THE AMERICAN SOPRANO CAROL VANESS
ART NORMAN of NBC5 will emcee the evening
in honor of GLADYS L. WOLFF
CHICAGO, IL (February 20, 2008)—On Saturday, March 8, Chicago Opera Theater (COT) hosts its 2008 Spring Gala at the grand ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton Chicago. The Gala Committee, chaired by COT Board Trustee Jon Omahen, is pleased to honor Gladys L. Wolff for her 30 years of service as a member of COT’s Board of Directors. Celebrity guests include NBC5’s Art Norman as emcee and opera legend Carol Vaness as performer.
It is with great excitement that COT presents the venerated American soprano Carol Vaness to honor guests with a performance as a highlight of the night’s festivities. Ms. Vaness has sung on the world's most famous stages including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, La Scala, Vienna State Opera, Paris Opera, Royal Opera House and Covent Garden to name a few. Ms. Vaness has appeared on numerous television broadcasts throughout North America and Europe, and compiled a distinguished catalog of recordings. Her interpretations of Mozart's dramatic heroines, including Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte, Donna Anna and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Elettra in Idomeneo, and Vitellia in La Clemenza di Tito, have been hailed as definitive. She has become especially identifiable with the title role of Puccini's Tosca, having performed it at the Metropolitan Opera in 2004 opposite Luciano Pavarotti in the legendary tenor's final operatic performance.
The 2008 Spring Gala presents an evening inspired by COT’s innovative “Opera Less Ordinary” style encouraging guests to dress in creative cocktail attire for the evening. The evening will feature a cocktail reception, dinner, a raffle (with tickets available to the public by calling 312.704.8420 x14) and live and silent auction prizes which include: Whirlwind Wild West Weekend in LA and Germany Countryside Music Classic travel packages, luxury items including a ladies diamond encrusted watch from Tiffany & Co., an All Access Pass to COT’s 2008 Spring Season, eatSED teak outdoor dining set by internationally renowned designer Jane Hamley Wells, an exclusive catered cocktail event for 40 guests at Machold Fine Violins Gallery with entertainment provided by the Lincoln String Quartet. Michael Davis from Hart Davis Hart Wine Company, formerly of Christie's New York, will be the evening’s auctioneer.
The celebration is held in anticipation of COT’s 34th season and in honor of Gladys L. Wolff. She is COT’s longest-serving Board Trustee and consistently presents tremendous dedication and commitment to the organization. As a former school teacher she is specifically interested in furthering educational opportunities for young people. Ms. Wolff is currently an active participant on COT’s Education Committee and served as chairperson from 2005-2007. Her philanthropic interest extends to several other organizations including the Illinois Arts Alliance, Young Women’s Leadership Charter School of Chicago, Chicago Associates of Stratford Festival of Canada and Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies.
COT is pleased to have Art Norman of NBC5 as the Gala’s emcee. He is well known for his Chicago community feature news reports in a segment called Art Norman’s Chicago and as host of a hi-tech news program, Weekend Web. Throughout his career, Mr. Norman has received some of journalism’s top honors including a total of six Emmy awards and awards from the Associated Press and the National Association of Educators. He hosts a number of community events each year and is a spokesman for the United Negro College Fund.
Jon Omahen, COT Board Trustee, is a top sales professional with Tiffany & Co. He has served the Chicago community through his involvement with Literacy Chicago, Moving Company dance troupe, UNICEF’s Bids for Kids, the American Red Cross and now as chair of COT’s 2008 Gala Committee.
2008 SPRING GALA
What:
Chicago Opera Theater’s 2008 Spring Gala
When:
Saturday, March 8, at 7pm
Where:
The Ritz-Carlton Chicago
Grand Ballroom
160 East Pearson Street
Gala & Raffle Tickets:
Individual Gala tickets are $375, VIP couples (two seats) are $1,500.
Gala tables of ten are available at $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000.
Raffle tickets are $50 each or 3 for $100.
Inquiries:
312.704.8420 x14 or spreminger@chicagooperatheater.org
ABOUT CHICAGO OPERA THEATER
Founded in 1974, Chicago Opera Theater has carved a significant place for itself in the operatic life of Chicago and has reached an audience of hundreds of thousands through its main stage performances, outreach, education and young artist programs.
Since Brian Dickie’s appointment as General Director in 1999, COT has evolved as an opera company that is young, fresh, and colorful - an image well suited to its surroundings at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.
The 2008 Spring Gala is presented in anticipation and support of Chicago Opera Theater’s 2008 Spring Season. The season opens with Mozart’s Don Giovanni (April 30-May 11) setting the classic story in a contemporary VIP nightclub, followed by the Midwest Premiere of John Adams’ A Flowering Tree (May 14-25) with John Adams conducting the first two performances, and closes with Handel’s Orlando (May 28-June 8) a Baroque opera with the drama unfolding in the style of 1940’s film noir.
For more information on the 2008 Spring Season, visit ChicagoOperaTheater.org or call 312.704.8414.
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