Tuesday, April 27th: New York City Opera’s Spring Luncheon was held at The Pierre Hotel to honor Emilie Roy Corey and Phyllis Curtin, who play vital roles in supporting New York City Opera’s award-winning education programs.   

The Luncheon featured intimate performances from leading City Opera artists accompanied by pianist Kevin Murphy. Baritone Nicholas Pallesen, performed "Per me giant e il di supremo" from Verdi's Don Carlo and American soprano Kara Shay Thomson, performed "Vissi d'art" from Puccini's Tosca. The pair treated guests to a surprise duet from Mozart's Magic Flute.

Artistic Director George Steel was proud to introduce Julian Bolans, Troy Wilson, and Alanna Miller, who currently participate in City Opera education programs. Each student shared a personal story about their City Opera experiences and the program's positive impact.

*All proceeds from the Spring Luncheon will support the company’s wide-ranging Education Programs, which reach over 5,000 students in more than 30 schools each year. These programs take artists into classrooms, bring young people to performances and provide exciting behind-the-scenes glimpses of City Opera at work, forever changing young people’s minds and hearts as they explore the exciting world of opera.

*photos by Tristan Cook

*photo 1: Isaac Mizrahi, George Steel, Winsome Brown

*photo 2: Alex McCord

Last night at the David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center, Manhattan's elite celebrated New York City Opera's opening of its 2010 Spring Season. The White Tie Spring Gala and Opera Ball featured the delightful production of Emmanuel Chabrier's ingenious L'Etoile followed by a grand evening dinner and waltzing to music performed by the New York City Opera Orchestra on the Promenade of the David H. Koch Theater.

L'Etoile is a lively opera bouffe about disguises and mistaken identities exemplified by City Opera Director, Mark Lamos. Lamos creates a magnificent hi-fi production, complimented by conductor Emmanuel Plasson, which breathes effervescent life into Chambrier's witty work.

The Spring Gala honored City Opera's Chairman, Susan L. Baker, for her outstanding dedication to the company in this role, for her strong leadership through challenging times, and for her great friendship to the Opera as both ardent advocate and generous supporter.

All proceeds from the Spring Gala support New York City Opera's Mission: to create innovative productions of new and classic work, reach a wide audience with affordable ticket prices, and bring music into the lives of thousands of students each year through its acclaimed education programs in New York City public schools.

*photos by John F. McCarthy for Scene B Seen

Friday, February 5th, 2010- The Princes Ball Mardi Gras Masquerade Gala to benefit The Lifeline Humanitarian Organization, took place in the presence of TRH Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia at Cipriani's 42nd St.

The gorgeous masked guests mingled, noshed, and danced to the beats of Rio. Flown in just for the fete from Brazil- DJ Miller Cruz and Drama's Samba School & Rhythms with Banda Brazil Beleza performed by Marianne Ebert.

HRH Crown Princess Katherine took the stage to thank all the patrons and committee members on behalf of Lifeline, then gathered the rest of the Royal Family to cut the cake. Following a champagne toast to a fantastic evening, the stunning DJ Donna de la Cruz spun a stellar set, keeping the party going... and going...

*All Photos by Nick McGlynn