Party Forte

THE PARTY More than 800 music-lovers gathered at Ravinia for the highly anticipated Women’s Board gala, which feted the return of Lang Lang, the esteemed pianist who made headlines for his Ravinia debut more than a decade ago. THE SCENE Tuxedo-clad men were grateful for the cool temperatures during a preconcert cocktail reception on the north lawn, but more than a few jackets were donated to bare-armed ladies during the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s moving performance of Beethoven, Britten and Prokofiev. Lang Lang thrilled the audience with his inspired playing and received a standing ovation for the unexpected premiere of “Fanfare for Tigers.” THE HIGHLIGHTS After a pulse-raising arrangement of Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries,” guests moved to the breathtaking main tent, where they were welcomed with trays of Champagne and a magnificent multicourse meal featuring tuna tartare, duck crepes and delightful chocolate pianos filled with passion fruit mousse and fresh lychees. Lang Lang graciously visited many of the tables (and several lucky guests walked away with autographed programs), and the gala’s co-chairs announced the evening raised $1.2 million for Ravinia’s educational programming. Photography by Ravinia