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| The Sopranos Hit the Stages of San Francisco | | September 11, 2001 |  | | By: Carla Zuber | | Current Column | | Search The Column Archive | | From the bright lights of Broadway to the canals of Venice, last week's opening galas for the San Francisco Symphony and Opera provided entertainment and glamour – and two great Sopranos (no, not Tony and Carmela).
The Symphony celebrated its opening with an all-American performance featuring Broadway soprano Audra McDonald. The audience even got into the act by doo-wopping along to "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing" and snapping their fingers during "West Side Story".
Prior to the performance, Symphonix hosted a dinner at City Hall. Event chair Rebecca Saroyan looked "ooh la la" in a corset gown right out of "Moulin Rouge". Stephanie Lingle looked stunning in a colorful Lily Samii creation and Elaine Mellis was in basic black, and Catherine Larsen in basic black and white. Amy Levins brought along her father as her date while Helen Robison was escorted by her daughter. Also enjoying the event were Keith Ogden, Michael Folk, and Keri Hattich (just back from another exotic adventure).
The two post-performance parties were in full swing starting with the tent party featuring David Martin's House Party and plenty of food and drink including dueling Ketel One vodka luges. Zack and Leigh Maurus were enjoying the fun (Leigh started fashion design school the next morning). Patti Morse just returned from Telluride. The other party was back at City Hall and featured Bob Dalpe and the Rose Quartet with a performance by chanteuse Christina Kramlich.
The next night, Architectural Digest and Bailey, Banks and Biddles hosted a cocktail party for the Symphony's opening gala committee at the BBB's new store in the San Francisco Centre. Dinah Calderon, Liz Keogh and Libby McBride were taking in the scenery (diamonds, emeralds, sapphires) before heading off for a bite to eat. Beverly Charlotte Jones, Maggie Colby and Mark Homes also enjoyed the party.
Sicilian soprano Desiree Rancatore took the stage on Friday for the San Francisco Opera's performance of "Rigoletto". Before the performance, the Bravo Club hosted a cocktail party and dinner at City Hall. Bravo's Guy Cross led the toast in his cute kilt. Jody Harris, Denise Campbell, Clayton Dahlman, Alexa Harnett and Gweneth Borden also shared a few toasts. Kent Soule just returned from Hungary. Stephanie Zmach and Andrew Thompson chatted with Trish and Charlie Loucks, who just left for Italy. Others included Jo Tennery, Cheryl Popp, Ron and Pam Zaragoza (who are expecting a baby girl next month), Carol Benz, Andrea Zafer and Lynn Wilcox.
At the Opera House, Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown enlisted the help of fellow Oaklander Christopher Zuber for his re-election campaign, Philip and Jill Halverson shared a dinner for two at Trader Vic's before heading over the bridge for the performance.
The post-party at City Hall featured two dance venues – the South Light Court with a red velvet lounge and DJ and the North Light Court with a great dance band.
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