LIFE
of the
PARTY
Deborah Rutter, David Rubenstein
and Jeanne Ruesch
Elise and Marc Lefkowitz
NSO SEASON
OPENING BALL
Michael Olding and
Liechtenstein Amb. Claudia Fritsche
Sutton Foster
The Kennedy Center | PHOTOSBYTONYPOWELL
THESOUNDOFMUSIC: The National Symphony
Orchestra opened its 85th season with a spirited and
innovative performance featuring world-renowned
percussionist Martin Grubinger and Broadway
vocalist Su on Foster. Kennedy Center Chairman
David Rubenstein noted the event coincided with the
45th season of the center and the first anniversary
of president Deborah Ru er taking the helm. The
NSO’s 2015 Diamond and Sapphire Ball, chaired by
Marc and Elise Le owitz, followed the show. That’s
where glamorously-clad patrons took to the dance
floor as dozens of chandeliers sparkled overhead.
Art and Sela Collins
German Amb. Peter Wittig and Huberta von Voss-Wittig with
Laura Denise Bisogniero and Italian Amb. Claudio Bisogniero
VIEWALLTHEPHOTOSATWWWWASHINGTONLIFECOM
Mary Ourisman,
Rohini Talall and Marcia Mayo
Wilhelmina Holladay and Opera Chairman
Jacqueline Badger Mars
Gala Chairman Constance Milstein de la
Haye-Saint Hillaire sports a special tattoo
Pilar Lozano and
Colombian Amb. Juan Carlos Pinzon
Flamenco Dancers Timo Nunez
and Fanny Ara
WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA OPENING NIGHT
The Kennedy Center | PHOTOSBYTONYPOWELL
“Carmen” conductor Evan Rogister
with French Amb. Gerard Araud
32
Kennedy Center President
Deborah Rutter,
and Robert Van Leer,
LAVIEENROSE: What better way to launch the WNO’s 60th season than a sexy production of “Carmen”?
Bizet’s 1875 masterpiece, sung in French but set in steamy Seville, is arguably the world’s most famous opera
and the gala opening night drew a VIP crowd for the performance and the black-tie celebration-cum-cast
party that followed in the Kennedy’s Center Atrium. Notoriously difficult to decorate, the vast space was
breathtakingly transformed for the occasion by a display of major costumes and props from the company’s
collection. Ambassadors, philanthropists and other boldfaced names sipped cocktails in the shadow of
Otello’s cloak (once worn by Placido Domingo) and a massive golden sarcophagus from “Le Cid” before
sitting to supper at 11 P.M. Event chairwoman Constance Millstein de la Haye-Saint-Hillaire stole the show
with a strapless red gown and wash-off shoulder tattoo of the production logo, a dagger piercing a rose.
VIEWALLTHEPHOTOSATWWWWASHINGTONLIFECOM
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
| O C T O B E R | washingtonlife.com