The Future Is Now at Opera Gala

In a futuristic-themed benefit that may turn out to be the blast of the year--maybe the century--Opera Pacific staged a “2001: Opera Odyssey” that netted a stratospheric $500,000.

More than 500 guests, many heeding the siren call of the “futuristic black-tie” dress code, attended the intergalactic extravaganza Saturday sponsored by Cartier and staged under two mountainous tents at Irvine Spectrum.

Guests swept into a white big top to mingle with costumed “aliens” as they sipped cocktails and sampled canapes in a Black Hole Bar inspired by the famed “Star Wars” lounge scene. There, they watched wide-eyed as space-age-dressed go-go dancers performed above them on a skyscraper of scaffolding.

“My, this is an opera ball like we’ve never seen,” mused philanthropist Mary Muth, as she sat on the with her husband, Peter.

Beeping sirens, thunderclaps and the simulated voice of HAL, the paranoid computer featured in Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey,” alerted guests that it was time to move on to the second tent--Space Station Two.

In a scene where a galaxy of projected stars danced across the ceiling and a gigantic, moon-like orb revolved in the center of the room, guests dined on a gourmet repast and watched an operatic production that had space creatures--ray guns poised--encircling performing soprano Robin Follman.

The menu: filet mignon, pistachio-crusted sea bass and a Valhrona chocolate concoction embellished with white chocolate.

The accompanying wines were out of this world: Bruno Paillard NV Brut Premier Cuvee Champagne; a DeLoach Vineyards Russian River chardonnay and pinot noir.

The piece de resistance was served with dessert: a Russian River Valley Estate Bottled Late Harvest Gewurtztraminer. But wait, there was more: The 64-piece Opera Pacific Orchestra thrilled the crowd with the opening of Richard Strauss’ majestic “Also sprach Zarathustra” and John Williams’ “Star Wars” Suite. Not to mention the romantic strains they played for dancing, “Stella by Starlight” and the “Blue Danube” Waltz, among them.

Also on the gala agenda: post-dessert dancing to the rock-band Splash! and an after-hours bash for young professionals who boogied to rock selections spun by a deejay.

“We wanted to bring Opera Pacific into the 21st century,” said Sandi Jackson, gala co-chairwoman with Susan Samueli, an arts benefactor who, with her husband, Broadcom founder Henry, recently pledged $10 million to the expansion campaign of the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

Both women sparkled in body-skimming, silver-spangled gowns. “With this event, we hoped to expose as many people as possible to opera,” said Susan Samueli, whose silver-painted toenails peeked from strappy, rhinestone-studded evening shoes. “Opera is so fabulous; everybody should love it.”

Both women sparkled in body-skimming, silver-spangled gowns. Martin Hubbard, executive director of the Santa Ana-based opera company, wore Mr. Spock-inspired ears with his glitz-trimmed tuxedo.

“Our goal is to make a broader audience aware of the opera--attract new, younger audiences,” Hubbard said. “We thought if we did something that was on the edge, we’d reflect what we believe is a national trend--that opera is cool.”

Guest list: Opera board chairman Patrick Seaver and his wife, Sonja; John DeMain, the opera’s artistic director, and Barbara DeMain; Charlie and Maggie Price; Niles Gates, founding chairman of the opera company; Terry and George Schreyer; Jerry and Maralou Harrington; Paul and Marybelle Musco; Ariu and Roseanne Levi; Mark and Barbara Johnson; Ron and Donna Phelps; Clifford and Barbro Heinz; Bill and Barbara Roberts; Darrel and Marsha Anderson; and Roger and Gail Kirwan.

Opera Pacific will stage Bizet’s “Carmen” from Feb. 20-25 at the center.

Information: (800) 34-OPERA.

Arty Party

Supporters of the Pacific Art Foundation gathered at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach on Sunday to present abstract Expressionist Ed Moses with its American Visual Arts Achievement Award.

The award was established by the foundation in 1995 to recognize outstanding contributors to visual arts.

“This is the first time we have recognized an artist,” foundation president Elizabeth Hargreaves said, adding that the “goal of the foundation is to educate the community about the arts--keep it from feeling intimidating.”

With his down-to-earth way of relating to people, Moses, whose works have been exhibited “in every major museum in the world,” he said, did his share of educating guests about the creative process.

“I flop around and every once in a while something goes right,” said Moses, considered by many to be the godfather of Los Angeles art. “None of us are creative. God made something out of nothing; we are inventors. We discover possibilities that are in the nature of the phenomenal world.”

Save the Date

Jerri Nielsen, the medical doctor with breast cancer who in 1999 performed a self-biopsy and treated herself with chemotherapy until she could be rescued at the South Pole, will be the guest speaker at the annual Circle 1000 Brunch on April 6. Sponsored by the Hoag Cancer Center, the event will be held at the Four Seasons hotel in Newport Beach. Tickets are $100. Information: (949) 574-7204.

Ann Conway can be reached by phone at (714) 966-5952 or by fax at (714) 966-7790.