The threat of a little ice on the roads Thursday night failed to deter the Concert of Arias' dedicated fans from the finale of Houston Grand Opera's 23rd annual Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers.

In fact, the record crowd of black-tie attired opera patrons at Wortham Theater Center netted more than $600,000 — an achievement worth a standing ovation in itself. Add glamour notes courtesy of famed mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, who served as one of the judges along with HGO's renowned music director Patrick Summers and HGO general director Anthony Freud. (Von Stade has been in Houston to star in HGO's production of Dead Man Walking, her performance marking the finale of her operatic stage career.)

It was applause, applause for the eight talented finalists, culled from initial applications by more than 700 singers from around the world. Twenty semi-finalists were flown in for a weekend of further auditions before the Concert of Arias finale. Baritone Mark Diamond, baritone Thomas Florio and soprano Lauren Snouffer won first, second and third place honors, respectively. The Audience Choice winner was bass Adam Lau.

The seated dinner for artists, patrons and underwriters in the Wortham Grand Foyer that traditionally follows the singing competition held in Cullen Theater had an unexpected twist this year. The menu by Jackson & Co. was "Asian fusion" in a nod to the Chinese New Year and dessert was accompanied by a Year of the Rabbit celebration complete with streamers fired from cannons.

Kudos to benefit chairs Marianne and David Duthu and honorees Susan and Dr. Dick Stasney, who were recognized for their long-term support of HGO.

The opera crowd included Beth Madison with Ralph Burch, Lynn Wyatt, Andrew Schirrmeister III, John Turner and Jerry Fischer, Dian and Harlan Stai, Jim Crownover, Anne and Dr. John Mendelsohn, Al Lasher with Carol DeArman, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Jana and John Scott Arnoldy and Eileen and George Hricik.