Benvenuto!

La Bella Notte Patrons Party emerges renewed

The winter chill was no match for the warm welcome guests received at the home of Cynthia and Elliot Himmelfarb for Nashville Opera’s La Bella Notte Patrons Party. Co-chairs Sharon and Todd Sandahl chatted with attendees as they moved throughout the home, admiring the beautiful art and decor. The leitmotif for this year’s gala was “La Primavera,” evoking images of colorful, springtime gardens and of Italian artist Botticelli’s beautiful homage to spring. While guests mingled, Johnny Haffner was at the helm in the kitchen to continue the theme with decadent culinary creations. Diners enjoyed a buffet of sautéed asparagus, prosciutto-wrapped artichokes, delicious cheese ravioli and, of course, Johnny’s famous house-made potato chips.

The highlight of the evening was performances by the four Mary Ragland Emerging Artists. Lovers and supporters of the opera were entranced by the opening “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess, performed by soprano Alysha Nesbitt. Guests also enjoyed Carmen’s popular aria, the Toréador Song (“Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre”), performed by all four emerging artists — and by many in the room in an impromptu sing-along. This moment represented what can be so delightful about opera — familiar melodies that are important to preserve.

The performances and the evening were brought together to support the Nashville Opera and its work with programs like All Access Opera, which “offers evidence-based toolkits for creating special, modified opera performances that bolster accessibility for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other learning differences.” This program — the first of its kind in the country — has been made available for both replication and implementation to communities nationwide.

Eager for La Bella Notte, guests departed with a lovely gift: a red sommelier’s corkscrew engraved with the La Bella Notte logo, encased in a black velvet bag bearing a dogwood blossom charm to match the La Primavera theme — and a mini bottle of creme liqueur for morning coffee after the Patrons Party.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND