‘Carmen’ Attractions : Show’s Stars Enhance ‘Evening in Seville’ Benefit for L. A. Opera

At the Los Angeles Music Center Opera’s opening of “Carmen,” Earl Russell said to the man next to him at an intermission: “That’s the sexiest Carmen I’ve ever seen.”

“Thank you,” the man replied. “That’s my wife.”

The stage Carmen, Denyce Graves; her husband, David Perry, and co-star Placido Domingo and his wife, Marta, were the attractions at the benefit “An Evening in Seville” in the Grand Hall after the curtain calls.

More than 600 first-nighters were welcomed to the party with the clip/clap sounds of flamenco dancing and music by Coro Rociero, a troupe specializing in Andalusian dances.

Party chairman Jacqui Brandwynne Cotsen, escorted by Jeffrey Tamkin, and her co-planner, Georgie Erskine, there with husband Paul, left no orange unpeeled in Seville-izing the party. Orange trees lined the hall. A fountain splashed in the center of Bob Gail’s band. And Dan Klemuck sprayed Seville’s flower, the pink carnation, through green eucalyptus for table topiaries.

Ah, the cuisine. Those party-goers who didn’t stay until midnight for the final course of sliced oranges marinated in Grand Marnier and sprinkled with orange peel and carmelized sugar (Georgie Erskine’s own recipe) missed a treat.

Earlier, guests dined on a vegetable terrine of eggplant, asparagus, spinach, leeks and red chili peppers, followed by Chilean sea bass with saffron and almonds.

And most sipped the sherry, champagne, and the red and white wines--all Spanish and all donated.

Not bad for a Wednesday night.

The elegant Anna Murdoch with her husband of 25 years, Rupert, was prominent in a red lace Scaasi gown. Her honorary party co-chairman Ann Getty wasn’t there--she’s in school studying mathematics, said a friend.

Lace was, indeed, the fabric of choice. Lenore Greenberg, wife of the opera president Bernard Greenberg, was in Trigere’s black lace. Sachi Irwin wore black lace by Ruben Panis.

Spotted in the front row of the Founders Circle were Charles and Mary Jane Wick, Flora Thornton and Eric Small, Merv Adelson and Thea Nesia, and Dan Ridder, whose wife Frani is still recovering from a skiing accident.

In the orchestra, opera benefactors Carol and Warner Henry had choice seats in the first row.

During the two intermissions and at the party, the opera’s general director, Peter Hemmings--attending with his wife, Jane--circled the room saying “hello” over a bad case of laryngitis.

Prominent in the crowd were Roy Ash, chairman of the opera board, and his wife, Lila; Dona and Dwight Kendall; Robin and Peter Barker, and Carol and Barry Kaye.

Joe and Donna Roth joined the Murdochs at the party, as did the Murdochs’ daughter Elisabeth and her friend David Marguelis.

Also in the crowd were Spain’s Consul General Eduardo Garrigues and his wife, Pilar (her recipe was used for the sea bass); Richard C. Seaver; Peggy Parker and Walter Grauman; Sue and Dr. James Femino; Joan and John Hotchkis; Patricia Kennedy, and Henry Hilton and Laurie LaShelle.

Kudos went all night to Southern California Cadillac Dealers. The association underwrote the party, expected to net more than $100,000 for the opera.

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