On Sunday, March 11 Chicago Opera Theater (COT) hosted its 38th Anniversary Gala: “A Celebration Less Ordinary” at Carnivale in downtown Chicago. The 2012 Gala Committee, led by COT Board Members and Gala Co-Chairs Dorothy Osborn Walton and Robert E. Shapiro, honored General Director Brian Dickie on his final season with COT. Serving as Master of Ceremonies, and performing exclusively for guests of the gala, was two-time Grammy Award winner and regional Emmy winner Sylvia McNair.
Since Brian became General Director in the summer of 1999, he has brought the company to national and international recognition and acclaim. 2012 marks Brian’s final year with Chicago Opera Theater and highlights a 50 year legacy in opera management and administration.
On his behalf, The COT Board of Directors inaugurated The Brian Dickie Outstanding Young Singer Award to Cecelia Hall, honoring Brian’s long history and tremendous passion for identifying and developing the careers of today’s best emerging young talent.
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Over 200 guests of this gala enjoyed a behind the scenes peek into the world of Chicago Opera Theater filled with Latin-inspired bites and beats from Carnivale. Tiffany & Co. brought heat to the evening with a pulse-raising raffle including three prizes, raising over $4,000.
The night continued with performances from Outstanding Young Singer Award Nominees and Master of Ceremonies Sylvia McNair; followed by Sylvia’s presentation of a surprise “good-bye” film to Brian Dickie and gala guests. The night closed with a speech from the honoree himself. By the end of this lavish evening, “A Celebration Less Ordinary” grossed over $190,000 total for Chicago Opera Theater.
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Select silent auction sponsors included: Marc Jacobs, Blue Man Group, Boka Restaurant Group, Broadway in Chicago, Cedille Records, Chicago Children’s Museum, Chicago White Sox, Senate President John J.Cullerton, Gene & Georgetti, The Goodman Theatre, The Lyric Opera of Chicago , Morton’s The Steakhouse, Narciso Rodriguez , Park Grill, Shedd Aquarium, Solemates, Wines for Humanity, and more.
