RSVP / ORANGE COUNTY : Symphony Ball Is Appraised as a Jewel
Precious gems, sparkling evening gowns and glittering decorations turned the Pacific Symphony league’s Symphony of Jewels ball into a night to treasure.
More than 600 guests--twice the number who attended last year’s ball--showed up in bejeweled evening wear at the Hyatt Regency Irvine on Saturday for the league’s 15th anniversary season gala. The $175-per-person ball was expected to net about $200,000 for the Orange County orchestra.
Jewel of a Ball
Some guests said the huge turnout was due to the appearance of Davis Gaines, who starred in the title role of “The Phantom of the Opera” in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Others attributed the attendance to the Symphony of Jewels’ reputation as one of the county’s premier balls, thanks largely to underwriter Tiffany & Co., which made sure every detail was perfect, down to the jewel-toned tablecloths.
Everyone, however, agreed the evening’s success was due to the efforts of co-chairwomen Jo Ellen Qualls, vice president of Tiffany, and Sharon Lesk Jaquith, trustee of the Leo Freedman Foundation.
“I invited a number of people from Los Angeles, and Jo invited people who had previously not been introduced to the orchestra,” Jaquith said.
Qualls had a likely explanation for the ball’s popularity:
“It’s a great time,” she said. “This is the kind of ball where you want to wear your best jewels and your ball gown. You can’t overdress.”
Men donned tuxedos, some with cummerbund sets the color of rubies and emeralds, while women showed off beaded sheaths and full-skirted ball gowns.
During the champagne reception, they ogled jewelry from Tiffany sported by fashion models (including one dead-ringer for Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”). The models wore gowns by Lillie Rubin and posed in elegant vignettes furnished by Randolph and Hein.
All That Glitters
Later, guests adjourned into the ballroom, which twinkled with hundreds of votive candles perched atop a trio of Lucite tubes at the center of each table. Mirrored tabletops reflected white floral centerpieces and a sprinkling of faux gems.
Guests were served an opulent dinner of salmon Wellington and roast veal tenderloin and a dessert of tiramisu and berries served inside an edible gold jewel box. In between courses they danced to the tunes of Barry Cole and his orchestra, then sat at attention while French-Canadian pianist Alain Lefevre performed the Mephisto Waltz by Franz Liszt.
“I (performed) personally for Sharon (Jaquith). People like her are angels of music,” said Lefevre, who attended with his wife, Jojo.
Another angel of music, former “Phantom” Gaines, took the stage and sang his favorite Broadway tunes. He appeased “Phantom” lovers with “Music of the Night.”
“I guess I’ll be singing from ‘Phantom’ for the rest of my life,” said Gaines, who performed “Phantom” 1,071 times (but who’s counting?).
Later, young professionals, who had paid $50 to catch the entertainment and enjoy dessert, joined guests on the dance floor and partied until 2 a.m.
“We’re hoping to develop a new base of supporters,” said Barbara Trainor, orchestra league president, of the low-priced, post-dinner ticket program.
Among the guests were Maurice and Marcy Mulville, chairwoman emeritus; G. Randolph Johnson, orchestra board chairman; Rondell Hanson, board president; Lou Spisto, board vice president and orchestra executive director; William Dultz, president of Travcoa, which donated a grand prize around-the-world tour by private jet; George and Arlene Cheng; Bill and Laila Conlin; Edward and Celeste Cumming; Vesta Curry; Larry and Margaret Gates; James Geraghty; Arthur and Lynda Gome; Ben and Patricia Dolson; William Dultz; Patrick and Dorothy Hurley; Mark Chapin Johnson; Dennis Kariger; Tom and Anne Key; Peter and Mary Muth; Elaine Redfield; Edward and Helen Shanbrom; Michael Weaver; Marv and Pat Weiss; Pat Werrlein, and Madeline Zuckerman.
