To honor our slow return from pandemic shutdowns, Pittsburgh Opera decided to hold a Diamond Horseshoe Dinner instead of the usual ball at Hotel Monaco on Saturday night. The theme was “The Return to Magic.”
“This is a much smaller occasion than we would normally have, but we did feel with the opening of the season in a week’s time we wanted to sort of ramp people up,” explained general director Christopher Hahn. “We are all just so happy to be here.”
Guests had to provide proof of vaccination upon entering the ballroom. The black-tie party drew an elegant and intimate 100 guests who helped raise $75,000 for the opera before the season opening Saturday of “The Magic Flute.” The Diamante Orchestra provided the live background music during the cocktail reception and virtual auction.
Enjoying performances during dinner by the opera’s resident artists were: Renee Cavalovitch, David Belczyk, Dr. Robert and Sheri Sclabassi, Alice Gelormino, Dr. Loren and Ellen Roth, Arthur Kerr Jr., Virginia and John DiPucci, Jean Horne, Judy Linaburg, Dr. Karen Galey, Cynthia Bognar, Dr. Albert and Cynthia Chung and Gail Simpson. At the end of the evening it was announced that Dr. Lisa Cibik had won the drawing for the Diamond Horseshoe pendant, which was provided by Nancy and John Traina.
First Published: November 1, 2021, 5:38 p.m.