The Philharmonic Society of Orange County

EAST MEETS WEST IN GALA CELEBRATION OF CHINESE AND AMERICAN CULTURE

BY ANN CONWAY

Mixing a masterful concert with a magical post-performance dinner party, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County melded cultures old and new when it presented "Lang Lang and Friends in Recital" during the "Chinese Festival Gala" held at the three-year old Renèe & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

The festive centerpiece of the Society's historic musical collaboration with Carnegie Hall, Ancient Paths, Modern Voices: A Festival Celebrating Chinese Culture, the Nov. 10 soiree celebrated the first time the esteemed institution has shared live festival programming outside of New York City. Since its Orange County kickoff on Oct. 11, the six-week festival has offered audiences a variety of stimulating and informative events, from orchestral presentations held at various venues within the Segerstrom Center for the Arts to an exhibition of ping-pong diplomacy at South Coast Plaza.

"We're so excited to be partnering with the most famous concert hall in the world," said a thrilled Elizabeth Segerstrom, who with her husband, arts benefactor Henry Segerstrom, was honorary co-chair of the event. "And the collaboration is an ongoing, five-year partnership. I think that's recognition that we have really arrived!"

Observed author and medical doctor, Adeline Yen Mah, gala chairwoman: "The partnership between Carnegie Hall and the Philharmonic Society is a ground-breaking achievement. I am so honored to be part of it. I feel strongly that for the world to get along, the friendship between America and China is key for the 21st Century. And Lang Lang is not only an exemplary musician, but an ambassador of music—from China to America and America to China."

After hearing superstar pianist Lang Lang, fingers flying, and friends—who included erhu player Guo Gan, tenor GeQun Wang, cellist Hai-Ye Ni, violinist Dan Zhu and 10-year old prodigy Marc Yu--perform selections by Chopin, Schubert, Bizet, and Tchaikovsky, gala-goers gathered at the Donor Room for a cocktail reception. Then they took their places onstage to enjoy an elegant repast featuring succulent Hoisin grilled petit filet and mouthwatering raspberry lychee tart. "This is a unique experience—terrific!" observed Henry Segerstrom, looking out from the stage upon the sea of empty seats that had just held an enthralled audience. "This gives everybody a different perspective."

The stage had a breathtaking perspective of its own. Each dinner table was topped with a clear box that held a glowing red Chinese lantern and a mini-bed of scarlet roses. The collaboration between Carnegie Hall and the Philharmonic Society is a "wonderful way to recognize the Chinese community," said Henry Segerstrom, who has recently joined the Carnegie Hall board. "I believe there are about 500,000 people of Chinese origin living in Southern California."

Before the concert, Philharmonic Society President and Artistic Director Dean Corey had welcomed the audience eloquently in Chinese and English. And when Lang Lang took the stage, the pianist said he was 'very excited to present my friends in this beautiful Segerstrom concert hall. I am very happy to be in sunny Orange County; thank you for coming tonight!"

At the conclusion of the concert, guests leapt to their feet, wildly applauding musicians who also included young winners of scholarships from the Lang Lang International Music Foundation: Anna Milan Larsen, Charlie Liu, Derek Wang and Ray Ushikubo.

Observed a delighted Corey as he applauded with the ecstatic crowd: "It's fantastic to see Lang Lang do such a collaborative project, spreading the limelight around. A lot of wonderful talent there—so gratifying to hear!"

Festival sponsors are: South Coast Plaza; The Segerstrom Foundation; Lang Lang and Friends concert sponsors Ishani and Micky Dhillon.

Gala attendees included: Hosting Committee members Elaine and James Alexiou, Elizabeth An and Gordon Clune, Linda and Alan Beimfohr, Sabra and Peter Bordas, Laila and William Conlin, Dean and Kaly Corey, Ruth Ding, Debra Gunn Downing, Betty and S.L. Huang, Siret and Jaak Jurison, Donna Kendall, Sharon and Bruno Lebon, Helen and Fritz Lin, Lynn Liou, Christina and William H. Lyon, Tina and Michael Madden, Michelle Rohé, Deirdre and Douglas Smith, Jeule and Daniel Stein, Peggy Sprague, and Mary Ann and George Wentworth.

On Thursday, October 15, the Orange County Film Society presented the West Coast Premiere of visionary director John Woo’s latest epic adventure film, Red Cliff at the Regency South Coast Village Theater.

A massive hit in Asia and the most expensive Chinese film ever made, Red Cliff reunites legendary filmmaker John Woo and international superstar Tony Leung for the first time since the 1992 classic Hard Boiled. A breathtaking war epic, Red Cliff brings to the screen the legendary tale of the Battle of Red Cliff that took place in 208 AD and was immortalized in the classic Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. This visual masterpiece was followed by a Q&A session with director John Woo.

Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen, First District from the OC Board of Supervisors presented a county proclamation to Philharmonic Society’s President and Artistic Director Dean Corey for the work on Ancient Paths, Modern Voices.

Part of the Philharmonic Society’s Ancient Paths, Modern Voices: A Festival Celebrating Chinese Culture.

SOUTH COAST PLAZA RECEIVES 2009 GOLDEN BATON AWARD

The Society is pleased to honor South Coast Plaza with the 2009 Golden Baton award for their many decades of exemplary corporate philanthropy in our community and their commitment to preserving and enriching the cultural and artistic heritage of Orange County.

For more than 40 years, South Coast Plaza has garnered international recognition for its dynamic marriage of high fashion, culinary excellence and cultural innovation. South Coast Plaza is home to over 280 boutiques and award-winning restaurants and spas, many of which are exclusive to both the West Coast and Orange County. The adjacent, world-renowned performing and visual arts venues are a gem in the crown jewel that is South Coast Plaza. The Orange County Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Center for the Arts and the Samueli Theater continue to attract sought-after performances and visitors from around the globe.

This fall, South Coast Plaza continues to cement its reputation as a cultural magnet as the proud presenting sponsor of Philharmonic Society of Orange County’s West Coast version of Ancient Paths, Modern Voices, A Festival Celebrating Chinese Culture, which will be held at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The result of a partnership between the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and Carnegie Hall, this historic collaboration will mark the first time in Carnegie Hall’s history that its world-renowned programming will be offered to audiences outside of New York City. The festival will feature performances by leading international musicians Lang Lang, Wu Man, Yuja Wang, and the Shanghai Symphony, with some artists and ensembles traveling outside China for the first time.

“By partnering with Carnegie Hall, we achieve a new level of excellence in serving Southern California, and reaching out as never before on the international stage. South Coast Plaza is proud to be the presenting sponsor,” said Henry Segerstrom, managing partner of South Coast Plaza.

McMonigle Group and Clive Christian hosts a reception to benefit the Society

The McMonigle Group and Clive Christian celebrate the senses at an exquisite reception to benefit the Philharmonic Society of Orange County at the Clive Christian Showroom at the Laguna Niguel Design Center on Thursday, June 4, 2009.

The grand opening featured the ultra luxe home collections, and perfume of Clive Christian, the fine pianos of Steinway, the stylish motorcars of Land Rover/Jaguar, the allure of ocean travel by Silversea Cruises, and original Andy Warhol and additional artwork provided by Martin Lawrence Art Gallery. The event was catered by Soiree.

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT WOWS GUESTS
AT "PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ" SPRING GALA

By Ann Conway

"Halleluja! Halleluja!"

When Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright sang those words at the Philharmonic Society's "Puttin' On The Ritz," he might have been expressing the sentiments of Gala Chairman Kathy Hamilton and her hard-working committee.

It hadn't been easy staging the Society's Spring Gala 2009 in a wobbly U.S. economy. There were sponsorships and auction items to secure and tickets to sell. But in the end, the ballroom at the posh Island Hotel in Newport Beach on May 1 was brimming with faithful Society supporters, and a batch of shining new faces. "One of our goals was to include brand new supporters of the Philharmonic Society at our event and we were excited to have so many new friends attend!" Hamilton said.

Guests at the black-tie affair not only heard a stylishly performed concert by the engaging Wainwright—who flew in from New York to entertain them with nostalgic tunes such as "Puttin' On The Ritz," "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart," and his signature, "Halleluja," from the Shrek soundtrack—but a gourmet dinner and a thrilling live auction.

Observed guest Karen Evarts, "I suspect that many attending Philharmonikers had never heard of Rufus, but by the end of his performance, when guests were swaying to "Halleluja," they would never forget him. Such a voice!"

Hamilton said she was thrilled to chair an event that helped raise funds for the Society's Youth Music Education Programs, which are offered free of charge to Orange County schools. "The Philharmonic's programs are one of the best in the country," she said. "Each year, nearly a quarter million children are reached, from first grade to high school!"

Gala sponsors were Stephen and Madaline Gordon, Kingston Technology, Boeing, Donna Kendall, Knightsbridge Asset Management LLC, Michelle Rohé, South Coast Plaza and Wells Fargo Bank. Product sponsors were Addington Confections, Blue Sky's Studio, Enspri, Epic Style, Gioia Luisa, Irvine Company Resort Properties, One Hope Wine, The Resort at Pelican Hill, S. Pellegino and Synergy Beverages.

On the scene: Jim and Elaine Alexiou, Richard and Patricia Allen, Jim and Eleanor Anderson, Alan and Linda Beimfohr, Peter and Sabra Bordas, Douglas Burch, Dean and Kaly Corey, Debra Gunn Downing, John and Ruth Anne Evans, Donald Evarts, Susan Franklin, Stan and Jane Grier, Noel Hamilton, Lawrence and Connie Hull, Jaak and Siret Jurison, Donna Kendall, Peter and Cynthia Kornhaber, Sharon and Bruno Lebon, Sharon McNalley, Fernando and Olga Niebla, William and Barbara Roberts, Michelle Rohé, Stephen and Gail Romansky, Douglas and Deirdre Smith, Daniel and Jeule Stein, George and Mary Ann Wentworth and Bobbitt Williams.