The Philharmonic Society of Orange County

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.

Shanbrom Family Honored at London Symphony reception

A reception honoring Dr. Edward and Helen Shanbrom for their generous underwriting support of the London Symphony Orchestra was held on Thursday, March 19, immediately following the spectacular performance of the orchestra conducted by Maestro Valery Gergiev with piano soloist Alexei Volodin.

Philharmonic Society President and Artistic Director Dean Corey expressed his deep gratitude to the Shanbroms for their many years of support and friendship. As guests mingled, Maestro Gergiev and pianist Alexei Volodin made a grand entrance to much applause.

Edward and Helen Shanbrom have a passion for sharing the gift of music with others, particularly students. They have been long-time, devoted supporters of the Society, and for many decades, their generosity has had a far reaching impact on the arts community. Because of the Shanbroms' support, the seats for the concert were filled with many high school and UCI students as well as special attendees from the UCI Medical School.

Also on the scene: Jill and William Shanbrom, Judy and Bill Coulson, Douglas Smith, Sabra Bordas, Laila and William Conlin, Barbara and William Roberts, Patricia and Tony Clark, Jane and Stan Grier, Phyllis Jacobs, Elizabeth and Henry Segerstrom, Gloria and RJ Brandes, Sharon McNalley, Jeule and Daniel Stein, Kaly and Dean Corey, and Charles Fabius.

MAESTRO VALERY GERGIEV FETED
AT ELEGANT POST-CONCERT SUPPER
CONCLUDING SEGERSTROM SELECT

By Ann Conway

In a high-voltage whirl of ecstatic tributes, glorious food and a candle-lit party ambience festooned with exotic florals, internationally acclaimed Maestro Valery Gergiev was honored at an intimate post-concert supper following his appearance with the London Symphony Orchestra in the final season performance of the Philharmonic Society's Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series.

"Why not be the best?" asked arts’ visionary Henry Segerstrom as he spoke to Philharmonic patrons dining pool-side under a voluminous snow-white tent at the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel. Hearing Gergiev conduct one of the world's great orchestras in works by Prokofiev and Beethoven---featuring masterful piano soloist Alexei Volodin --- in the Renèe and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall was one of the best experiences life could offer. Welcoming Clive Gillinson, Executive Director of New York's beloved Carnegie Hall, to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts was another extraordinary moment. Echoed Elizabeth Segerstrom, "From the bottom of my heart, I want to extend my thanks to Valery and Clive and the Philharmonic----we have the best of the best!" (Gillinson is working with the Segerstroms and the Philharmonic to bring Carnegie Hall's music festival, "Ancient Paths, Modern Voices: Celebrating Chinese Culture" to the Segerstrom Center in the fall. "This concert hall is wonderful, lovely and the sound is so clear!" Gillinson observed.)

Another of the March 18 evening's best: a succulent gourmet repast prepared by Westin chefs under the watchful eye of Master Chef Helene An, founder of Beverly Hills' wildly popular Crustacean restaurant. (Watch for the famed seafood restaurant to open this fall at Bloomingdale's in South Coast Plaza). Up for oohing and ahhing at tables topped with crisp white linens and stylized bouquets of daffodils and calla lilies: An's famous Secret Kitchen Garlic Noodles with grilled market vegetables, fresh black cod rolled in Vietnamese herbs and warm pistachio cake served up with green apple sorbet.

Philharmonic President and Artistic Director Dean Corey welcomed the black-tie crowd to the affair that included special guests such as movie director William Friedkin, British Deputy Consul General David Wild, Eric and Tania Idle,and Randy Soto, Director of Segerstrom Select sponsor Harry Winston at South Coast Plaza. "Thank you all for your commitment to presenting the best music in the world!" Corey said. "And thank you Maestro Gergiev for a fabulous concert. Absolutely fantastic!"

Gergiev himself seemed to feel he was among the best of the best. "It's good for artists to be in a place that they love!" he exclaimed.

Also on the scene: Marsha and Darrel Anderson, Guy Adams and Katie Bond, Elizabeth An, Helene An, Catherine An, Danny An, Nancy and Jim Baldwin, Jacqueline Bisset and Tim Vreeland, Sabra Bordas, Alan Beimfohr, RJ and Gloria Brandes, Kate Brandes and Theo Ellis, Kelly Bruner, Daniel Bruner, Dr. Cynthia Boxrud and Dr. Scott Powell, Nancy Chang, Kaly Corey, Ishani and Micky Dhillon, Paul and Dimple Dhillon, Terry and Amy Carson-Dwyer, Charles Fabius, Billy Friedkin, Debra Gunn Downing, Mike and Chris Hall, Dee and Larry Higby, Gavin and Carry Herbert, Jon Holman, Kristoffer Houlihan, Betty and S.L. Huang, Ken Jenny and Tracy Manzi, Scott Juniper, Yue-Sai Kan, Alison Kazi, Bash Kazi, Donna Kendall, Deborah and Eric Keillor, Arnold and Annie Kopelson, Jill Kraft, Sharon and Bruno Lebon, Andrew Lewis and Jennifer Reichter, Michael Liang, Melissa Lilly, Christina and William Lyon, General William and Willa Lyon, Kristen McDowell, Jana and Greg McGrath, Lizzie and Charles McNairy, Sharon McNalley, Robin and John McMonigle, Judy Morr, Lesley Reeves, Douglas Sheldon, Deirdre and Douglas Smith, Galina and Michael Sobolev, Sheila and Ygal Sonenshine, Kirk Stambler and Victoria Tennant, Karen Stewart, Loni Su, Patricia Vickers, Alexei Volodin, Gianna and Andres Weiss, Claire Wild, Charlie Windisch-Graetz, and Jeannette Wistner.

CECILIA BARTOLI TRILLS AND THRILLS AT CONCERT AND PATRON DINNER
By Ann Conway

Not only did Cecilia Bartoli thrill the masses at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall with her performance of Maria Malibran's breathtakingly intimate Salon Romantique, the Italian superstar trilled a sincere “Happy Birthday” to Philharmonic President and Artistic Director Dean Corey at the elegant patron dinner that followed at Antonello Ristorante.

Toasting the “genius and extraordinary ability” of the beautiful lyric and dramatic coloratura, Corey said that on his 62nd birthday, it was “a great gift to be alive when Cecilia Bartoli is alive!” “Tonight was musical history!” Corey continued, as he addressed party guests, who included Philharmonic Board President Alan Beimfohr and his wife, Linda. “Cecilia owns these musical pieces!”

The Feb. 17 performance, which featured several encores and Bartoli exclaiming, “I love this hall! I love this hall!” marked the first time the Grammy Award-winner had appeared at the concert hall and her third appearance with the Philharmonic. Her sold-out performance was part of the ongoing prestigious Segerstrom Select Series presented by jeweler Harry Winston.

Specializing in 18th- and 19th-century Italian opera, Bartoli is best known for her interpretation of the music of Mozart and Rossini. Observed her accompanist for the evening, world-acclaimed pianist and conductor, Sergio Ciomei, “Accompanying Cecilia Bartoli is a gift, something very inspiring from the first note to the last!”

Having changed from the dramatic silver-embroidered scarlet gown and diamonds she wore in the second act into a prim black suit and pearls, the flowing-haired Bartoli swept into the candlelit post-concert celebration to a standing ovation. Once seated, she joined guests for a gourmet repast----enjoyed at tables topped with bouquets of fresh roses---hosted by Antonio Cagnolo and prepared by chef Franco Barone featuring homemade ravioli, Sole Milanese and a trio of desserts including Sicilian Cannoli and profiterole. Da Vinci wines accompanied the meal.

Corey marked the special occasion with the purchase of a rare bottle of Tuscan blended red wine for Bartoli, who sipped it with gusto during the late-night revelry. Besides toasting the radiant mezzo-soprano, Corey raised his glass to Segerstrom Select presenters Elizabeth and Henry Segerstrom and the attending Philharmonic patrons whose loyalty he deeply appreciates. “Thank you! Thank you!” he said.

“Oh, what a wonderful night!” sighed Corey's wife, Kaly Corey. “Life doesn't get any better than this!”

'SEGERSTROM SELECT' FEATURES PREMIERE PERFORMANCE IN CONCERT HALL BY SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY

By ANN CONWAY

It was select, all right. And the first appearance in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall by the San Francisco Symphony was such a sensational experience that its Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas had nothing but raves for the two-year old facility: "When you're playing a concert, the instrument you most fundamentally are playing is the hall," Tilson Thomas said, upon arriving at a lively post-performance supper for Philharmonic Society patrons held at Pinot Provence at the Westin South Coast Plaza. "You do various things to cause the hall to vibrate, make sure these works come to life. It's a real pleasure to play in this hall because it allows one to make very sophisticated, colorful and subtle—and we hope—communicative music. So, congratulations!"

The orchestra's appearance on Jan. 28 featuring Tilson Thomas' own Street Song for Symphonic Brass and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 marked the third presentation in the Philharmonic's 2008-09 Elizabeth and Henry Segerstrom Select Series, presented by jeweler Harry Winston.

During the wee-hour festivities, Philharmonic President and Artistic Director Dean Corey thanked arts philanthropists Henry and Elizabeth Segerstrom for their vision and continued support and also Elaine Weinberg for underwriting the performance. Corey then praised Pinot Provence for hosting the romantic three-course supper featuring organic beet salad, pan-roasted sea bass and vanilla bean panna cotta, enjoyed at tables topped with floral displays and flickering votives. "Thank you all for coming tonight," said Corey, who assured Tilson Thomas that he had plans to bring the orchestra back for repeated engagements. "Good!" exclaimed a delighted Thomas. Observed Elizabeth Segerstrom: "Michael Tilson Thomas is a visionary and an inspiration. I have great admiration for his passion, both as a conductor and a teacher."

When guests weren't buzzing about the superb concert, they were exchanging notes about the Philharmonic Society's recent thrilling and historic announcement: during its upcoming 56th season, the Philharmonic will launch a multi-year partnership with Carnegie Hall in New York, bringing its programming to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The partnership marks the first time that Carnegie Hall's programming will be presented outside of New York. "We are very excited," Corey said. "Carnegie sets the classical music agenda for the country. This gives us an amazing opportunity to participate in what happens classically in the United States."

The first year of collaboration will feature works from the famed hall's festival, "Ancient Paths, Modern Voices: Celebrating Chinese Culture," at Segerstrom Center. Programs will include performances by pianist Lang Lang, the China Philharmonic, pipa virtuoso Wu Man and the Quanzhou Marionette Theatre.

Also on the scene: Linda and Alan Beimfohr, Ryan Burke and Justine von Winterfeldt, Kaly Corey, Ishani and Micky Dhillon, Jerry Harrington, Dick Hausman, Donna Kendall, Christina and William Lyon, Lizzie and Charles McNairy, Clay Nolde, Theresa and Steve Pollack, Jacqueline Reed, and Michelle Rohé.