The gilded chocolate genie lantern filled with dark chocolate mousse was edible, an unexpected treat for many of the diners. One of the most enticing auction items was a vacation package to Marrakesh presented by Royal Air Maroc and the Moroccan Tourism Office.Ī final surprise was the City Kitchen dessert that topped off the Middle Eastern inspired dinner. The themed accents included North African music by Moodafaruka, Morocco-inspired cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, fortune tellers, henna artists and a luxe silent auction chaired by Teresa and José Ivo. This was HGO CEO and general director Khori Dastoor‘s first opera ball and she starred welcoming the 470 guests in a beautifully short program that introduced the chairs, thanked donors and quickly advanced to a glamorous good time.

The Wortham Grand Foyer was dressed in massive Moroccan-themed lanterns overhead, the dance floor patterned like a splendid oriental carpet with a massive kaleidoscope projection of intricate Moroccan-inspired patterns. Working with Richard Flowers and The Events Company, ball chairs Jennifer and Benjamin Fink orchestrated a stellar event that featured arrival on a red carpet via Fish Plaza where guests were greeted by the camel and costumed wait staff serving glasses of fragrant Moroccan hot tea as well as cocktails. All the more for the spectacular evening. This remarkable evening was the first HGO ball in five years, the Wortham being closed beginning in 2017 due to the flood waters of Hurricane Harvey and then the gala itself axed due to the pandemic. Mayor Sylvester Turner, Lynn Wyatt (Photo by Michelle Watson) It was one of the rare evenings when the mayor attends the entire evening. And their conversation went on for quite some time as they discussed the city and music. He wanted to compliment Mayor Turner on the beauty of Houston and its cleanliness.

Over the bountiful rack of lamb dinner from City Kitchen that Benedikt photographed to send to his wife and children in Lithuania, the tenor asked to meet the mayor. While Benedikt was seated at philanthropist Margaret Alkek William‘s table, Turner was seated with Lynn Wyatt and HGO music and artistic director Patrick Summers.

Houston grand opera ball 2015