Bal à Paris

Inspired by the Parisian setting of the Verdi work, the Gala paid tribute, Bal à Paris-style, to the artistic and cultural collaboration between France and Florida. It celebrated French fashion, food, jewelry, fragrances, fine wines and champagnes, and travel destinations.
To build on the historic relationship between high fashion and grand opera, Florida Grand Opera developed a creative alliance with five outstanding South Florida fashion designers. These well-known local designers created original ball gowns inspired by one of the season’s five operas.
Opening Night and the Bal à Paris Gala were under the patronage of His Excellency, Pierre Vimont, French Ambassador to the United States, and General Consul of France in Miami, Monsieur Philippe Vinogradoff. The Gala committee was lead by Ms. Lynn Wolfson, Honorary International Chair; Mr. Ralph Lutrin and Mr. A. Allan Lewis, Honorary Chairs; Andre and Donald Carlin, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dascal, Mr. Stephen A Keller and Ms Lesleen Bolt, and Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Grand Benefactors; and Co-Chairs: Ms. Ruby Bacardi, Ms. Nancy Jean Davis,
Adrienne Arsht and Guest
Paul and Swanee DiMare
Marvin Ross Friedman, Adrienne bon Haes and Charles Cinnamon
Elaine North, Dr. Sanford Ziff and Marcia Levine
Bernardo Ortiz and Model from Emilio Pucci/Palm Beach
Jennifer Boin and Guest
Gala Guests w/ Rosie Pachon and Charles Porter of BNY Mellon
Don Carlin, Mrs. Nathan Segal, Audre Carlin and Robert Heuer, General Director/CEO of Florida Grand Opera
Mr. and Mrs. Alvaro Varela w/Mr. and Mrs. Gustavo Varela
Carlos and Marta Lopez-Cantera and Guests
Ligita Gidoomal, Gala Guest and Connie Russell
Elizabeth and Karla Dascal w/ their mother, Fanny Dascal
Designers with Models and Jane A. Robinson, President of Board of Directors of Florida Grand Opera
Mike Eidson, Esq. and Dr. Margaret Eidson
Models in Designers’ Ball gowns
Owner and Designer of Ever After, Coconut Grove, FL
Ariel & Tamara Elia and Arlene & Laurans Mendelson
Model “Miss Puerto Rico”, Designer Rafael Cenammo, Denise Courshon of FGO and Guest
Ms.Egilise Gutierrez, star of La Traviata and Robert Heuer
Daisy Olivera, Bernerd Garson, Claudine Smurfit
Décor Photo – Flowers provided by Emerald Bouque, Inc.