The iconic event has been one of the city’s most
glamorous affairs for more than a century, drawing
world-renowned musical talent, celebrities and key
influencers attired in their most fashionable and
avant-garde ensembles, adding to the rich visual
tapestry. More than 3,000 guests including the
city’s most prolific philanthropists, luminaries,
and patrons of the arts gathered to celebrate
the Symphony’s 107th year while reveling in the
visionary artistry and sound. As a highlight of San
Francisco’s social calendar, the gala is attended by
some of the most discerning people in the world,
setting the bar incredibly high for impressing the
sophisticated crowd.
26 ILHA
While the stage is always the evening’s main
attraction—with the legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman
headlining this year —it’s the dazzling offstage action,
designed and executed by Blueprint Studios, that
makes the opening gala such a hit. In the party-meets-
performance atmosphere, top-tier décor, scenic
design, and cutting-edge digital enhancements took
center stage. From the swanky pre-show dinners at
Davies and City Hall to an inclusive wine reception
in the iconic concert hall to an after-party held in a
tented pavilion outside, where guests kept the evening
energetic with live music, cocktails, and dancing.While
the elegance may look effortless, there is an entire
well-oiled infrastructure that kicks into high gear long
before the event takes place.