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22 A PARTY IN THE PALAZZO Robin Angly & Miles Smith Sverre & Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl Warren & Rachel Ellsworth Alice Delahunt, Reese Lasher Lynn Wyatt, Jerry Ann Woodfin Costa Doug & Winell Herron Donna Josey Chapman Patrick Summers Chairs Zane & Brady Carruth Bob & Janice McNair The rocking after-party The Venetian palazzo decor transforms the Wortham Theater Center Grand Foyer David Kleinberg, Pat Breen Chesie & Tommy Breen Justin Mitchell, Katherine Butler, Katie Doetsch Claudio Gutierrez HOUSTON GRAND OPERA PATRONS WALTZ THROUGH AN EVENING OF VENETIAN GRANDEUR. Shelby Hodge glides in gondola-style. Photography by Priscilla Dickson, Wilson Parish. E ven for the opening scene of La Traviata, composer Giuseppe Verdi could not have imagined a more resplendent tableau of riches than that which welcomed guests to Houston Grand Opera's Carnevale di Venezia ball. The night was indeed reminiscent of a ball held in Venice's grand palaces, with partygoers in white tie and gilded masks mingling in a setting of brocaded velvets and crystal chandeliers, while a string ensemble conjured up Mozart and Hayden; classical interludes continued during the Italian dinner, with a rapturous performance by soprano Albina Shagimuratova. The mise en scène was orchestrated by chairs Zane and Brady Carruth, The Events Company, and City Kitchen. Bravissimo to all who shepherded the evening to a $1.75 million till. NOBILITY: HGO artistic and music director Patrick Summers; HGO managing director Perryn Leech; Encore after-party chairs Carrie and Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl; HGO board chair Jim Crownover and wife Molly; and Terry and Tommy Smith, Isabel and Danny David, Lynn Wyatt, Pat Breen, David Kleinberg, Chesie and Tommy Breen, Max and Donna Josey Chapman, Robin Angly and Miles Smith, Janice and Bob McNair, Alice Delahunt, and Reese Lasher.