Bravo for ‘Rhapsody in Blue’
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VAIL – Sold out again, the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival annual gala had everyone feeling blue. Turquoise, azure, navy or royal, that is.
The theme was “Rhapsody in Blue,” and many of the guests adhered to the Gershwinesque feel and donned the romantic color to celebrate the successful season John Giovando, Eugenia Zukerman, Lynn Mazza and the rest of their exceptional staff artfully knit together. From the charming Christopher Seaman, the phenomenal “Carmen,” the melodious pianist Jon Kimura Parker, to the ladies’ favorite – the “Broadway Baritones” – Ford Amphitheater was overflowing in June and July with magnificent music. The New York Philharmonic was only one of the highlights in a truly sensational season.
“Rhapsody in Blue,” held July 22, was presented by Vail Resorts and held at the Lodge in Vail.The event was chaired by Dhuanne and Doug Tansill along with Ron and Lucy Davis, who were conspicuously absent and genuinely missed by all of their friends. Ron and Lucy are recovering from a plane accident this summer, and despite their absence, they could as well have been there for their names rang throughout the night. After the evening was over, all of the beautiful flower arrangements were donated to the hospital in their honor.
Liz and Tommy Farnsworth and Laura and Bill Frick assisted in the chairmanship, while One Willow Bridge Road, Applejack Wine and Spirits and Colorado Mountain Express helped support the event financially.”We couldn’t be luckier that Adam loves classical music,” said Artistic Director Eugenia Zukerman, referring to Vail Resorts’ chief Adam Aron, who has supported the festival since his arrival in the valley.
Conductor Lorin Maazel received the Big Apple Award, though he was unable to attend due to flight complications the evening before. He didn’t arrive at his hotel until 3:30 a.m. and was still at the helm when the Philharmonic took the stage that evening. “I’ve always been in awe of Lorin Maazel,” Zukerman said. “He has an extraordinary sound and he leads with kind, loving commitment.”The auction for the evening was brief but exciting. Only three packages were up for grabs – a trip for four to New York City, a wine weekend in Napa Valley, and a 2006 Bravo! Gust conductorship with the New York Philharmonic, something the orchestra has never done before.
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When all was said and done, the three packages brought in around $75,000. On the conductorship, Oscar Tang conceded to Jay Regan, who came in with the final bid only seconds before it closed.”Just being here, in this extraordinary valley is enough,” said Zarin Mehta, president and executive director of the Philharmonic. “And to receive the Big Apple award is wonderful. But why not a big pine tree?
“We’re happy to be here next year,” he added, “and the year after that.”==========================================
On the social radarThe 2005 Shindig, the annual fund-raiser for the Eagle Valley Land Trust, is Aug. 14. The Land Trust’s mission is to preserve open space in the county for future generations to enjoy. The Shindig will be at 4-Eagle Ranch from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with dinner, dancing, silent auction, hay rides, horseshoes and more. Bring the family! For tickets, call 328-1573.
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Heard at high altitudeOK, you busybodies, tittle-tattlers, gossipmongers and yentas… I’m running low on fodder! So, if you hear something fun, send it my way! I only spread gossip with the best of intent, so please, make it harmless! Send it off to me at vailsociety@cs.com. And, for those of you who are whining because so many of my photos include happy people holding drinks, who are you to say it’s not water in those glasses? Come on guys, it’s all for fun and for good a cause. And I’m not good enough at Photoshop to get rid of the crystal!
==========================================Vail, Colorado
