- November 24, 2024
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A walk through The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota ballroom Jan. 21 was like a stroll through a blossoming Japanese garden. Paper lanterns in various shades of pink hung from the ceilings, and blush-colored flowers — none of which were actually cheery blossoms, however, because none could be found at this time of year — adorned every table at the 2017 Opera Gala: “A Japanese Affair.” The event was themed after the opera’s latest production, “Madama Butterfly,” and was the start to the 2017 Winter Opera Festival.
Guests sipped on their Cherry Blossom Saketini signature cocktails while bidding on silent auction items and rubbing elbows with other opera-lovers during cocktail hour. Afterwards, they adjourned to the ballroom for performances by Sarasota Opera Principle Artists Joanna Parisi and Antonio Coriano.
A four-course dinner and dancing followed as guests enjoyed the sounds of Scott Blum Band.