The Crowd: ‘Aida’ enthralls in Pacific Symphony’s semi-staged form
The distillation of most, if not all, well-known stories about the human condition ultimately are defined by the love relationship between characters, with a bit of sexual tension thrown in for good measure.
This applies to your favorite book, music and play. And it applies in the O.C. to Pacific Symphony’s recent semi-staged production of the Verdi opera “Aida.”
The love-triangle involving Ethiopian Princess Aida, Egyptian Princess Amneris and an Egyptian General Radames is the core of this dramatic tale of love, lust and betrayal. The public often remembers “Aida” for its phenomenal Egyptian backdrop, with many large-scale productions featuring elephants, camels and more on stage.
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“I think this semi-staged production gives us a unique opportunity to focus on the three characters telling the story more sparely and intimately,” said Mary Birnbaum, director of the Pacific Symphony production.
The O.C. crowd was enthralled. The tremendous talent of cast members Milena Kitic, Mark Delavan and Julian Close, along with the 120 voices of the Pacific Chorale singers under artistic director John Alexander and the overall musical direction by maestro Carl St.Clair, delivered a unique stage experience for the O.C. audience.
Opera in this semi-staged format may be back for a continued run. Last year, the Pacific Symphony produced “Turandot,” with “Aida” following this season.
“I want to continue doing big choral operas including Pacific Chorale, because it means the performance will be spectacular and memorable,” St.Clair said.
Of course spectacular takes money. Without the epic underwriting support of local opera and symphony devotees, the costly production would not rise to performance.
A pre-opera dinner co-chaired by Laila Conlin, Phoebe Lambeth and Beverly Spring brought together significant financial patrons of the Pacific Symphony. Bill and Laila Conlin of Newport Beach have been steadfast supporters for decades, as have Phil and Mary Lyon of Harbor Island, Ted and Janice Smith, and Carlos and Haydee Mollura.
Also front and center for the Pacific Symphony were Dorcas Preston, Hope Miller, Chuck Hong, Jane Lee, Benedict Kwon and major underwriter Catherine Emmi of Corona del Mar, resplendent in a crème satin, beaded designer ball gown as she joined her son Cameron Emmi, who wowed the crowd in a sequined tux and mink bowtie.
Pacific Symphony boss John Forsyte was on hand to bestow thanks upon the generous loyalists.
Wylie Aitken to head Chapman board
Chapman University has long been a magnet for attracting the best and brightest of O.C. men and women to serve on its board. This list reads like a veritable who’s who of county leaders in business, society, education, politics and life.
On Feb. 28, it was announced that O.C. barrister Wylie Aitken will lead the Chapman charge as the newest board chair, serving a two-year term. Aitken has been on the board since 2004, serving in a multiple capacities.
He and wife Bette Aitken have championed significant Chapman projects, including funding for the Musco Center for the Arts, the Fowler School of Law and its Aitken Family Protection Clinic. Their community largess extends to supporting the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, as well as Mission San Juan Capistrano and many other causes.
Aitken, a prominent trial attorney, also served as former chair of the Democratic Foundation of Orange County board. He now leads fellow Chapman board members and distinguished local citizens Joann Leatherby, Parker Kennedy, Jim Mazzo, Zeinab Dabbah, Scott Chapman and Zelma Allred.
A major gift to Chapman University
Newport Beach residents Dale and Sarah Ann Fowler have made the single largest gift to Chapman in the history of the university. A $100-million commitment, with the funds earmarked to create a future school of engineering, was announced recently by Chapman President Daniele Struppa.
Dale Fowler, a 1958 graduate of Chapman, became a successful real estate investor, builder and engineer in a career spanning some five decades in the O.C.. The Fowler family donated $55 million in 2013 to fund the Fowler School of Law on campus.
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B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
