Bringing the New to the Lasting

opera tasteAsheville Lyric Opera proudly announces the 16th Annual Opera Winter Gala. This signature event will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton on February 21st at 6pm. Asheville’s finest restaurateurs will be presenting delectable dishes during performances by lead roles from our upcoming season. A silent as well as live auction will be ongoing throughout the night and a cash bar will be open to toast the night away.

Asheville Lyric Opera is excited to present highlight performances at the 16th Annual Opera Winter Gala. Kathryn Sandoval Taylor will be gracing the stage in April as Maria in West Side Story. A native of Asheville, Ms. Taylor received her Masters from New England Conservatory and has performed extensively around the US. She is returning to her hometown to make her professional Asheville Lyric Opera debut. Ms. Taylor was a chorus member in one of ALO’s very first productions, La Boheme in her high school days and is “Thrilled to be performing back in Asheville and such an important role as Maria with a company as highly regarded as Asheville Lyric is in the performing arts community.”
Another featured lead from our upcoming season is Rachel Policar, Brevard Music Center alumni and accomplished soprano who will be performing the role of Gilda in ALO’s July co-production of Rigoletto with Brevard Music Center. Baritone Adrian Smith will be performing as the entertaining Barber from one of the most recognizable operas, Barber of Seville which Asheville Lyric Opera will produce in October.

Asheville Lyric Opera is honored to announce the restaurants that will be presenting their finest fares at the 16th Annual Opera Winter Gala. Longtime supporter of the ALO’s work, Vincenzo’s Restaurant will be participating by creating an entrée for the event. Chef Dwight Butner: “We are excited to be a part of this event. Asheville Lyric Opera offers great artistic opportunities to our community and we are honored to work alongside this great company to promote opera in Asheville.”
Posana Café, Twisted Laurel, Dining Innovations and Strada Italiano will be creating appetizers and entrees. Sante Wine Bar will offer a selection of wines tableside and Kilwin’s Chocolates along with Karen Donatelli Cake Designs are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Guests will have the opportunity to bid on prized items during the silent and live auction. Local, regional, and national performing arts organizations have donated tickets to their upcoming seasons and shows including Hart Theater, Symphony of the Mountains, Flat Rock Playhouse, Piedmont Opera, and Sarasota Opera. Other prizes include a wine tasting for 12 people in your home, tickets to the PGA Championship and vintage opera memorabilia from the Metropolitan Opera, dance lessons and more! A cash bar will be operating throughout the entire evening with a portion of the proceeds donated to Asheville Lyric Opera’s outreach programs.
We hope you will join us for this signature evening surrounded by fellow lovers of food, wine, art and opera. Tickets are $100 a person and reservations are available by calling the Asheville Lyric Opera office (828-236-0670) or online at ashevillelyric.org/tickets