Don't Forget the Lyrics!

THE PARTY Lyric Opera of Chicago celebrated its Opening Night Gala with The Tales of Hoffmann and, immediately following the performance, the Opera Ball at the Hilton Chicago. THE SCENE After a private, pre-performance reception with bites by Calihan Catering Inc., an audience of 3,500 attended Jacques Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann at the Civic Opera House. Chaired by Trisha Rooney Alden and sponsored by Aon Corporation, the Opening Night Gala was catered by Jewell Events Catering. Afterwards, a trolley service was on hand to transport the Opera Ball’s 625 attendees to the Hilton Chicago, where Heffernan Morgan Designs set the scene and Stu Hirsh Orchestra provided the music. THE BOTTOM LINE Thanks to the efforts of the Women’s Board of Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as the Opera Ball’s chair Karen Gray and co-sponsors ITW and Northern Trust, the evening raised $875,000. Photography by Cheri Eisenberg and Robert Kusel