The Martina Arroyo Foundation Gala 2012

This week we were guests of Martina Arroyo at The Martina Arroyo Foundation Gala held at the lovely 583 Park Avenue. 583 is so lovely in fact, we’re considering having our wedding reception there. The mission of The Martina Arroyo Foundation is to prepare and counsel young singers in the interpretation of complete operatic roles for public performance, by guiding them through the background of the drama, the historical perspective, the psychological motivation of each character, and language proficiency necessary for world class interpretation.

The gala opened with a silent auction and a fully stocked bar. Moneyed opera lovers in evening dress bid on everything from bottles of wine to a custom made Black Fleece Brooks Brothers tuxedo as they mingled with Tyne Daly, Ben Vereen, honorary gala chair Ruth Finley, OPERA America’s President Marc Scorca and Executive Producer of Boardwalk Empire Terence Winter. Notable auction items included an HBO’s Boardwalk Empire walk on appearance, a backstage meet and greet with Anna Netrebko plus 2 orchestra tickets to Elisir at the Met, and two personalized video birthday serenades from acclaimed singers Ildar Abdrazakov and Joseph Calleja.

The disembodied voice of famed Met character tenor and Boardwalk Empire actor Anthony Laciura boomed over the loud speaker encouraging and guiding the auction. We found him sitting in a corner with a mike in hand preferring to stay out of the center action at least until the gala entertainment and dinner in the ballroom began.

The gala entertainment and dinner opened with welcoming remarks by Martina herself and Midge Woolsey from WQXR. Mezzo Soprano Kate Lindsey, on loan from the Met, sang a very moving “Non più mesta” from Rossini’s La Cenerentola and baritone Mark Rucker followed with a wonderful piece from Andrea Chénier. As the crowd enjoyed their steak dinners, the presentation of honorees began. The honorees included designer and former President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Stan Herman, (who not only sang during his acceptance speech but also let slip that he convinced Giorgio Armani to exclusively dress René Pape) and The Max Kade Foundation. This was followed by a moving tribute to Martina Arroyo’s late husband, Michel Maurel, along with the presentation of the first Michel Maurel award to designer Rafael Sanchez.

The oh so charming and tipsy Lacuira then took center stage with a vengeance to introduce alumni of Martina’s Prelude to Performanceprogram performing excerpts from Così Fan Tutte.

Laciura then lengthily introduced tenor Taylor Stayton, a Prelude alum from 2006 and 2007, who made his surprise debut at the Met last year for an ailing Stephen Costello in Anna Bolena with Anna Netrebko. He sang a rousing and exhilarating “Ah! Mes Amis” from Le Fille du Régiment, with Lloyd Arriola at the piano, that brought the tony audience to its feet. Laciura brought Stayton back for another ovation and a hug mid stage.

Finally after Martina’s lovely closing remarks, the Latin Jazz Clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera thrilled the crowd with a Latin Jazz Chopin remix with Alex Brown at the piano. It was a wonderful end to the evening, listening to a Latin classical medley as we enjoyed our chocolate mousse and cheesecake. Even better, we ended up winning Met dress rehearsal tickets in the silent auction.