French Lilt for Founders’ Opera Gala

In a whirl of silk taffeta and French love songs, members of the Society of Founders of Opera Pacific were honored at “La Boheme,” a gala celebration staged at Hotel Meridien on Friday night.

The event recognized the nearly $450,000 donated to Opera Pacific by the 375 founders during the past four years. It also celebrated Opera Pacific’s premiere season in the Performing Arts Center. Rubbing richly clad elbows among hand-painted murals inspired by the opera “La Boheme,” which opened the following night at the Center, guests queued up at buffets set up in each corner of the ballroom. Steamed mussels dripping with saffron sauce were had for the price of an “ooh la la!” at Au Pont Marie, the fishmonger station. Cafe du Dome, the bistro, served up melt-in-your-mouth beef bordelaise and coq au vin . Chavaline, the deli, dished up creamy pates, steaming quiches and a crisp celery-root salad.

And Francaise et Viennoise, the pastry point, proffered an array of caloric delights: meringues bobbing in caramel syrup, chocolate painted creme puffs, chocolate-chocolate cake, chocolate mousse and-- mon dieu!-- pear and apple tarts.

All this and “La Vie en Rose,” too. An accordionist, inviting guests to request favorites, played heart-wrenchers such as “I Love Paris,” “The Song from Moulin Rouge,” “The Last Time I Saw Paris” and “Autumn Leaves.”

Gowned in white silk taffeta bought in Paris years ago, Maxine Gibson, co-chairman of the gala with husband Robert, swept about the ballroom welcoming guests. She said opera was her husband’s passion. “I do this to support what Bob loves,” she said, fingering the silver beads on her Louis Ferraud gown. “I was a Performing Arts Center founder long ago. But this is Bob’s thing. And I support that, too.”

Robert Gibson said he loved opera because “the human voice is the greatest instrument.” He had no “voice” himself, he said, adding that the only instrument he played was the radio.

Both Gibsons sat transfixed as members of Opera Pacific’s Overture Company sang excerpts from “La Boheme.”

Performers Kimberly Allman, Patricia Prunty, Donald Christensen and James Matranga performed love songs from the opera’s first act. Judy Hansen accompanied on piano.

“We had planned to include Mimi’s final act death scene in the program,” Maxine Gibson said. “But this afternoon we decided to take it out. We didn’t want to end the evening on a down note.”

All founders sported the silver-dipped medallion given them on arrival. Founder Anne Pange, designer of the keepsake, said she had received the inspiration for its rectangular shape from an engraved silver cigarette lighter. New founders included Janice and Roger Johnson of Emerald Bay. “We joined because I love opera,” Janice said. “In fact, opera was my ‘blackmail gift’ when Roger and I moved to Connecticut for one year. If we moved there, he promised he’d buy me season seats at the Met!”

Addressing guests, David DiChiera, general director of Opera Pacific, spoke of the enthusiasm that marked the founders group. “Just tonight founder Lillie Hinde signed up another member,” he said. “I hear the lady said to Lillie: ‘Shall I write up my check (memberships are $2,500) now?’ and Lilly said: ‘No. Wait until dessert is over!’ ”

DiChiera lauded the Gibsons’ “indefatigable leadership” in the fund-raising campaign. He reminded guests that without the enthusiasm of founder Ruth Ding, who had brought in 46 founders, and the leadership of past board president Niles Gates, “We wouldn’t be here tonight.”

Committee members included Hinde, Ann McLean, Kathy Madden, Isabel Montupet Ray Hare (a Mission Viejo artist who painted the vignettes), Ding, Joanne Sokolski, Pange, Robert and Ladorna Eichenberg, Jan Truesdell, Myril Kreuder and Eve Foussard.

Former astronaut Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin Jr., attending with fiancee Lois Driggs Cannon, was a special guest. Another honored guest was Italo Tajo, a New York Metropolitan opera star, who is a friend of DiChiera.

Also attending were Jean-Paul Montupet, Michael Sokolski, Russell Pange, Ted Truesdell, Norman Kreuder, Robert McLean, Floss and Ed Schumacher, Karen DiChiera, Doug and Donna Bunce, Gayle and Robert Anderson, Elaine and William Redfield, Harry Hinde, JoAnn Boswell, Phillip Quarre and Norman and Rose Smedegaard.