Opera fetes ‘champion for the arts’

One of Newport’s grand gals, Eve Foussard, was feted at Opera Pacific’s Gold Ring Society of Founders’ summer gala. The Sunday evening dinner gathering, held at Tustin Ranch Golf Club, marked the 22nd anniversary of the Opera Pacific Founders’ gala, which has created a tradition of honoring members of the community supporting opera in Orange County.

Chaired by Joan Simonoff and Beverly Spring, the lively dinner was created around an Asian theme and billed as “Butterflies and Dragons.” It was a wonderful gathering of friends, an evening full of entertainment and surprises, and, most important, a tribute to Foussard, who has contributed so much, not only to Opera Pacific, but to this community at large.

For more than 20 years, Foussard has dedicated her resources and talent to supporting opera in Orange County. As chair of the Gold Ring Society of Founders, Foussard has championed the annual Opera Pacific gala four times and has produced countless special events raising funds and awareness for opera programs.

In addition, Foussard has served as a board member of the Orange County Performing Arts Center Guilds and has been active with the Philharmonic Society and the Pacific Symphony League. The Orange County Board of Supervisors and the Office of Protocol, for which she has also served faithfully, has bestowed upon her the distinction of Champion for the Arts in Orange County.

Event chair Joan Simonoff said: “Eve Foussard is a treasure. We have worked together for many years on behalf of Opera Pacific. She is so deserving of this honor as she has diligently devoted her time to Opera Pacific.”

It was a warm and cordial evening, bringing together extended Opera Pacific family, including Laila and Bill Conlin; Ruth Ding; Bob and La Dorna Eichenberg; Catherine Emmi; Barbara and Bill Roberts; Ann Stern and Ellie Faber. Also in the crowd was Don Udall, donor of a fabulous stay at Casa de Suenos in Las Hadas, Mexico, which brought in a substantial five-figure donation. Handsome Newport couple Nora and Jim Johnson were also front and center for Opera Pacific.

The evening featured a full production of entertainment that began with outstanding solo performances by local talent Chad Berlinghieri and Marty Schaefer, followed by Chinese lion dancers, Korean fan dancers, geisha dancers, Chinese ribbon dancers and more. The music of the Sam Conti band kept the party swinging.

On hand for the celebration was the president of Opera Pacific, Robert Jones, and many staff members, ensuring a perfect summer evening for the opera and for Eve Foussard.