San Francisco Opera Guild’s
AN EVENING ON THE STAGE BENEFIT
HONORS FREDERICA VON STADE AND JAKE HEGGIE
An Annual Event Held on the War Memorial Opera House Stage
By Heide VanDoren Betz
Photography: Drew Altizer
275 guests dined on the War Memorial Opera House stage, surrounded by the set of acclaimed, new production of Verdi’s La Traviata
San Francisco Opera Guild President Maryam Muduroglu, whom San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed just announced as the city new Chief of Protocol, noted: “Music and art can have transformative influences in the lives of children. Self-expression, empathy, self-esteem, collaboration, global curiosity, compassion, critical thinking, and sense of purpose, these are all the life-long skills we strive to foster in the thousands of students we reach every year throughout the greater Bay Area.”
Frederica Von Stade continues to be one of the music world’s most beloved figures. Known by her nickname as FLICKA, the mezzo-soprano has enriched the world of classical music for over five decades. Her long and distinguished history with San Francisco began in 1971. Over the decades, she returned in a wide range of repertoire including Barbieri di Siviglia, La Cenerentola, Der Rosenkavalier, Dangerous Liaisons, and Heggie’s Dead Man Walking.
Composer and pianist Jake Heggie’s acclaimed works include the San Francisco Opera world premiere commission Dead Man Walking (libretto by Terrence McNally) and co-commissions Moby-Dick (libretto by Gene Scheer), It’s A Wonderful Life( Scheer) and Three Decembers (Scheer). He served as the Company’s first Composer-in-Residence from 1998 to 2000, which led to his first opera, Dead Man Walking (2000) in which von Stade created the role of Joseph de Rocher’s mother. In addition to nine full-length operas and numerous one-acts, Heggie has composed nearly 300 art songs, as well as concerti, chamber music, choral and orchestral works.
Co-chaired by Afie Royo and Lisa Zabelle, An Evening on the Stage included a cocktail reception in the War Memorial Opera House foyer, followed by dinner, musical performances, and dancing on the Opera House stage. Musical guests included San Francisco Opera Guild’s Opera Scouts, students from the Young Musicians Choral Orchestra, mezzo-soprano Catherine Cook and performances by the guests of honor, Frederica von Stade accompanied by Jake Heggie. Event stylist J. Riccardo Benavides reunited with San Francisco Opera Guild for this event and McCalls Catering & Events created a sumptuous dinner. The Cheeseballs provided the music for the dance floor.
An Evening on the Stage is made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsor Neiman Marcus Union Square; supporting sponsors Denise Littlefield Sobel, John and Cynthia Fry Gunn, TriplePoint Capital, Accenture, First Republic Bank, and Timothy Allen Chocolates; wine sponsors Roederer Estate, Castellucci Napa Valley, and Rigg Estate Vineyards; and media sponsors Haute Living San Francisco, Luxury Trending, and Nob Hill Gazette. Special thanks to Drew Altizer Photography, Soirée Valet, and The Cheeseballs.
