Party Watch
Opera honcho celebrates special birthday in high style with arias, admirers and Ring Cycle cake
What:Houston Grand Opera general manager Perryn Leech's 50th birthday party.
Where: The Uptown Park high-rise residence of Beth Madison, former HGO board chair.
The 411: The Rheinmaiden-themed birthday cake, a nod to HGO's upcoming production of Das Rheingold, was the clincher of Leech's birthday celebration where 75 admirers turned out to help blow out the candles. Madison put on the hospitality for guests who supped on traditional British fare, a nod to Leech's heritage, including fish and chips, bubble and squeak and Shepherd's pie. The clever chocolate cake from Michael Nee and Elegant Events served as a topical dessert, with representations of the water-nymphs who appear in Richard Wagner's famed opera cycle.
As special entertainment HGO Studio artist Natalya Romaniw sang a special version of La Boheme's "Musetta's Waltz" honoring Leech's special day. She was accompanied by HGO associate music director, Eric Melear, on piano.
Who: HGO board chair Dr. John Mendelsohn, artistic and music director Patrick Summers, Caroline Leech, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Alex and Astley Blair, and a trio of arts leaders — the Alley Theatre's Dean Gladden, Society for the Performing Arts' June Christensen and Houston Ballet's Jim Nelson.