Elizabeth Adams & Katie Barber
Elizabeth Adams & Katie Barber
Dana & Martin Aaron
Ingrid & Chris Burrichter
Jim & Ellen O’Connor
Shawn Donnelley & Christopher Kelly
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus onstage at Symphony Center
Duain Wolfe, Riccardo Muti, Luca Dall’Amico & Barbara Frittoli
THE PARTY The CSO Women’s Board welcomed a sold-out crowd to Symphony Center for a breathtaking program of Verdi and a lavish gala dinner at the Palmer House Hilton, which raised more than $1.2 million for the orchestra. THE SCENE Upon their arrival on the red carpet, guests enjoyed a preconcert cocktail reception before taking their seats for a stirring performance of excerpts from Verdi’s most renowned operas, with a special appearance by international opera stars Barbara Frittoli and Luca Dall’Amico. The majesty of the surroundings did not go unnoticed by Maestro Riccardo Muti. “You look fantastic,” he said to the audience from the stage. “They look fantastic too,” he laughed, motioning to the rows of symphony and chorus members. THE HIGHLIGHTS Following the concert, gala ticket holders made the short walk to the Palmer House Hilton for cocktails and a dinner of lobster bisque, beef sirloin and creme brulee in the magnificently decorated Grand Ballroom. And late-night revelers loosened their ties and danced the night away in the Red Lacquer Room to the sounds of the Bill Pollack Orchestra. Photography by Robert Carl and Todd Rosenberg
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