The Crowd: Symphony celebrates in grand style

The crowd arrived in black tie and mask. It was, after all, the night before Halloween, and The Pacific Symphony celebrated in grand style with the opening night pops concert billed as "An Evening of Sentiment and Mystery." The occasion marked the 20th anniversary performance for pops conductor Richard Kaufman. Kaufman led the Pacific Symphony in a wonderful program that featured the starring roles of accomplished Broadway actors billing themselves as "The Three Phantoms." By the end of the Saturday night event, The Pacific Symphony had raised $125,000 from some 200 VIP guests who had come to thank Richard Kaufman for two decades of enchanting entertainment.

The party began at The Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel as the masked guests arrived for sunset cocktails. Greeted by brightly costumed stilt walkers, jugglers, and commedia del' arte performers guests including event co-chair Sally Anderson, Lee Ann and Chris Canaday, Patricia and Otis Cranford, and Rosalie Delmonico, looking smashing in her red satin ball gown and white fur stole, with debonair husband Lou Delmonico, helped to celebrate the 20th anniversary masquerade theme.

Sally Anderson was joined by Donna Schroeder and Jane Taylor chairing the dinner concert event. Taking the theme from "The Phantom of the Opera," the ballroom was decorated a la the "Masked Ball," which was part and parcel of the theme relating to the musical. The ladies in charge were supported by two very high end retail partners, St. John and Ermenegildo Zegna. St. John models in their exquisite winter line paraded the party showing off the goods.

A three-course dinner was served by The Westin's executive chef, Hussain Zouhbi, which began with a grilled vegetable salad, followed by a mixed grill entrée of filet and shrimp and a dessert sampler featuring a triad of treats including a tasty pumpkin mousse to note the occasion of the coming of Halloween. Symphony president John Forsyte introduced board chair and event chair Sally Anderson thanking the audience for their generous support. Music director Carl St. Clair was invited to the podium to share personal history with pops conduction Richard Kaufman over their two decade friendship and working relationship.