BELLE OF THE BALL
Wallis Giunta, others give voice to Opera Lyra fundraiser
It was an evening that hit all the right notes as Irma
Sachs opened up her beautiful waterfront home, one last time, to host a private event for Opera Lyra Ottawa.
Wednesday’s $100-a-ticket fundraiser saw 50 guests turn out for a catered reception followed by a concert that showcased the stars of the upcoming production of Carmen.
The party was bittersweet for Sachs. She’s putting her Crystal Bay/Rocky Point property up for sale. It boasts a sandy beach, indoor pool and jaw-dropping view of the Ottawa River.
“I’m counting on all of you to help me go out with a bang,” she told guests before they took in an evening of arias and duets performed by Italian mezzo-soprano Alessandra Volpe, who plays Carmen, and her co-star, Newfoundland tenor David
Pomeroy, who plays Don Jos. They were also joined by cast members Corey Crider (baritone) and soprano
Lara Ciekiewicz, who hails from Winnipeg. She playfully passed out carnations while belting out the German aria Meine Lippen, sie kssen so heiss (My lips kiss with such fire). Tickling the ivories was accompanist Judith Ginsburg.
Later, respected pianist Evelyn Greenberg was overheard praising Opera Lyra’s artistic director, Tyrone Paterson, on his casting job. “You chose so well,” she gushed. Present were Opera Lyra general director
John Peter “Jeep” Jeffries and outgoing board member
Patti Blute, along with renowned operatic stage director Bernard Uzan. Attendees included such Ottawa power couples as developers John and Shirley Westeinde and KPMG managing partner Grant McDonald with his wife, PwC managing partner Carol Devenny.
Carmen opens Sept. 7 at the National Arts Centre.
VICTORY CELEBRATION FOR MAX KEEPING
Child and youth champion
Max Keeping once again proved he’s forever young by choosing a downtown nightclub to throw his latenight cancer victory party on Thursday.
A fresh-faced crowd turned out to Mansion Nightclub in the ByWard Market to help Keeping, 71, celebrate the recent completion of his chemotherapy.
The retired CTV Ottawa news anchor and prostate cancer survivor announced last October he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. He underwent major
surgery, followed by eight months of radiation and chemo.
Mayor Jim Watson joked he had to extend his bedtime of 10 p.m. in order to drop in and congratulate Keeping. “We are so, so blessed to have him as a friend, and for him to continue to be such an amazing Ottawa booster and champion, particularly of young people,” said Watson.
Karen Pogosyan and Seoyoung Park, owners of Be UniQ clothing boutique, presented the mayor with a sparkly green tie, similar to the pink tie Keeping had on.
Keeping has been chosen as this year’s Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser and will be honoured with his fellow philanthropy winners at a Nov. 13 dinner hosted by the Ottawa chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
BIG SUMMER CONCLUDES FOR CHAMBERFEST
It was a big summer for Chamberfest, which managed to squeeze some 100 performances into 15 days. Yet, equally busy behind the scenes were all the post-concert parties.
Around Town attended the reception that took place at Dominion-Chalmers United Church following Haitianborn Canadian soprano
Marie-Josée Lord’s very well-received Aug. 2 performance with the Quartango ensemble.
The concert was a Chamberfest debut for Lord, who is open to returning. “I always say if you invite me I will come,” she told Around Town at the reception (an offer for dinner at my pad the following night was a no-cando, though).
In the crowd was one of the chamber music festival’s most loyal sponsors, Marina
Kun of Kun Shoulder Rest, with two of her daughters,
Leilani Farha and Soraya Farha, both lawyers.
Chamberfest artistic director Roman Borys was there. So was Glenn Hodgins, executive director of the group that runs the annual festival, the Ottawa Chamber Music Society.
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
What’s opera without a dose of drama, generously provided by Mother Nature at this year’s outdoor Italian Garden Party.
The threat of rain, and even thunder, loomed during the lead up to the Opera Lyra fundraiser. The July 17 event raised $18,000 and was hosted by Italian Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado and his wife, Martine, at their large property in Gatineau.
The evening concert featured Wallis Giunta (mezzosoprano Lara Ciekiewicz and baritone
Benjamin Covey. The rain did fall but it was light, brief and hardly umbrella worthy.
Some of the 350 attendees included Supreme Court Justice Michael Moldaver; Mayor Jim Watson and Deputy Mayor Eli ElChantiry; John McNee, a former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations; and lawyer-about-town Lawrence Greenspon. Victor Rabinovitch, former head of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, was there as Opera Lyra’s board chair.
Adding some glamour were female models sashaying through the crowd in gowns from Earlene’s House of Fashion. The MC, CBC Radio’s Laurence Wall, joked that his regular stints at Opera Lyra events have practically turned him into their mascot. “Watch for genuine Laurence Wall souvenirs at stores nearest you. Bobbleheads, mugs, key chains,” he quipped.
SUNNY SKIES FOR GOLF TOURNAMENT
Living up to its reputation as best golf tournament in the capital, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s 20th Annual Golf Tournament raised a formidable $191,000 at the Rideau View Country Club, held July 22.
It was picture-perfect weather for the golfers, who were greeted on the greens by event chairs Ian and
Melissa Shabinsky. The couple was seen zooming in their golf cart from hole to hole, passing out drinks and cigars.
A fabulous lunch and dinner was provided by David
Smith’s Creative Kosher Catering. “Yes, we eat like this every day,” joked MC and auctioneer Stuntman Stu
Schwartz as guests marvelled over the wide array of choices, including steak, sushi and chicken.
Golfers included Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux as well as celebrity fitness trainer Tony Greco and Citizen Editor-in-Chief Gerry Nott. Among the items auctioned off were tropical trips, Ottawa Senators box seats and Ottawa Citizen advertising.