Column: The Crowd: Pacific Symphony opening night a sensational success

Without the extended Segerstrom family, there would be no Pacific Symphony Orchestra.

This fact does not diminish the contributions of so many other O.C. citizens over many years; however, Segerstrom financial support, season following season, remains a mainstay of the underpinning of classical music in the region.

Recently, Pacific Symphony presented its 2017-18 season opening night on the Orange Coast with an elegant pre-concert dinner followed by a debut night performance featuring selections from Beethoven, Strauss, and Wagner.

The gala evening marked the 39th season of Pacific Symphony Orchestra (PSO), which has been a primary ongoing gift from the foundation of the late Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom, carried on by their adult children.

The opening celebration raised an impressive $200,000 for PSO programs.

Chaired with passion by the dedicated couple Susan and Sam Anderson, some 320 guests in black tie and glittering opening night gowns descended on the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel, Costa Mesa, for a pre-concert dining experience.

The Andersons joined Segerstrom family members Sally Segerstrom Andrews, Toby Andrews, Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Susie and Steve Perry and Rae and Ted Segerstrom to welcome donors and guests arriving at the cocktail reception in the hotel.

PSO committee members and their designers rolled out a red carpet leading into a reception area festooned with massive arrangements of white orchids and roses. Cocktail tables were set in a black, white and silver motif as Westin staff passed Champagne and served exotic nibbles such as blue cheese-topped crostini glazed with caramelized shallot aioli.

Anderson, the hostess of the evening who was beautifully attired in a classic ballgown, signaled for the ballroom doors to be opened for dinner.

Maestro Carl St.Clair was introduced to his supporters.

The genteel conductor thanked the assemblage in his soft-toned Texan voice.

Applause was generous.

Major symphony donors were introduced and applauded as well. Corona del Mar’s Catherine Emmi, widow of the late James Emmi and Catherine’s son Cameron Emmi shared bows with fellow PSO donors Haydee and Carlos Mollura. Later that evening, one of the selections performed opening night by David Popper titled “Hungarian Rhapsody” was dedicated to the Mollura family.

Symphony board chair Joann Leatherby and her husband Greg Bates were front and center along with PSO president John Forsyte in greeting PSO donors.

Dinner was served as the crowd settled at tables decorated in the black, white and platinum silver theme of the night.

St.Clair introduced guest artist PSO violinist Bridget Dolkas for a performance of “Forte Duo.” The selection was an improvised, modern medley of Beethoven meets heavy metal rock ‘n’ roll. It took the crowd by major surprise.

Guests table-hopped and joined longtime friends prior to leaving the Westin for a short early evening stroll to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall for opening night.

Spotted in the crowd were Pilar Wayne and Gary Raehu, Susan Leonard, Toren Segerstrom and Ling and Charlie Zhang.

Post-concert, an after-party resumed at the Westin.

As the crowd arrived, a jazz quartet provided the ambiance. Late night toasts and congratulations were shared over dessert.

The 39th season of PSO was launched in grand style.

B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.