Lake Como anyone?
An Italian fantasy: Opera Ladies bring in a bundle of gift cards for HGO Ballsilent auction
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
Photo by Priscilla Dickson
The buzz in the San Remo Room at Tony's on Wednesday was all about Italy's Lake Como region (Villa d'Este, anyone?) and Houston Grand Opera's current production of La Traviata. All of which made good sense for this fourth annual "Opera Ladies" luncheon held in advance of the Houston Grand Opera ball, the theme of which is "Viva Italia Fantasy."
The price of admission for each in the well-heeled throng was a gift card to a favorite emporium. By the time the final envelope was dropped into the gift basket, the mega shopping opportunity had reached $10,000, making it a divine silent item for the April 14 evening.
HGO's special events director Guyla Pircher reports that the cards came from top-tier retailers including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tootsies, M. Penner and even a $100 gift card from Crave Cupcakes. Of course, close to $1,000 of that was in Tony's gift cards which were conveniently available at the hostess desk as the ladies arrived.
Cynthia Petrello, who chairs the white-tie-and-tails gala with husband Tony Petrello, was gracious hostess welcoming guests and thanking them for their contributions. Auction chairs Donna Bruni and Irene Bourke beamed over the stack of gift cards that poured in from ladies such as Carol Linn, Betty Tutor, Barbara Van Postman and Eileen Hricik.
To the applause of everyone, Pircher announced that four corporate underwriters have come in at the $50,000 (cash, not in-kind) level — Valentino, Bulgari, Neiman Marcus and Pierre-Jouet Champagne.
Among those joining in the festive three-course lunch that concluded with cookies in the shape of the Italian flag were Beth Madison, Lynn Wyatt, Maureen Hackett, Rini Ziegler, Danielle Ellis, Clayton Erikson, Donna Speer, Pat Breen, Ann Short and Bobbie Nau.
