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THE NEVADA OPERA Theatre Guild sponsored a set of Spring Luncheons to conclude the 2005–2006 Opera Season. The Guild organizes special luncheon venues with private performances by the Artists as part of the Season schedule. Eileen Hayes, Opera Director, and Karen Scherer, Chairman, send a Heartfelt Thank-you to their members and welcome locals to become members of the Guild. Membership is a mere $50, and well worth the expenditure to continue the work of the Nevada Opera Theatre. Three luncheons were held this spring to honor patrons, donors and to raise funds for the Company's upcoming season.
 'The Tove Allen Opera Legacy Scholarship Benefit' was on Sunday, February 12th, 2006, at the Lakes home of Architect, Frank Dumont. Chairperson, Kathy Allen was assisted by Committee Members M. J. Harvey, Karen Scherer, Stacey Wedding, Lee Hughes, and Eileen Hayes. The lovely afternoon guests included Countess Rene Bowen, Barbara Wood, Jenny Good, Patricia Martinelli-Price, Patti Morrow, John Allen, and Jack Harvey.
Performers were Lance Taubold, Shelley Martinson, and Alycia Van Camp. Lance And Shelly performed 'Phantom of The Opera' vignettes and Alicia sang 'My Heart At Thy Sweet Voice.' Lee Hughes sang 'My Funny Valentine,' complimenting the theme of 'Love Songs.' Guests also enjoyed a lake cruise under the early evening full moon.
 The 'Anniversary Arias' Luncheon featuring Viktoria Kurbatskaya was held in March, on a gorgeous Sunday morning full of spring promise. The venue was the private home, garden and salon of Dr. Rupert Perrin. Champagne was served to the arriving guests, who were then invited to view Dr. Rupert Perrin's large and varied art collection in his home, and the attractive items on the Guild's silent auction table. Dr. Perrin had the Galley salon mini-museum built to house his contemporary Russian Art Collection.
Mexican food aromas and welcome fresh breezes wafted around the backyard garden, the lawn set with tables and festive decorations. Guild members and donors enjoyed pleasant conversation and lunch, complete with a selection of wines and beverages. The silent auction finalized, the live auction began after everyone found seats in the salon.
Bidding opened on a selection of original lithographs donated by Dr. Perrin. Guild member Lucy Stewart scooped up several of them, aggressively bidding for the works she admired. A bronze and gold globe "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" was donated by Dr. Perrin as well. Everyone wanted something, which is a wonderful contribution to the Nevada Opera Theatre Guild.
 After a short break, the much-awaited private performances began. Nevada Opera Theatre Artists accompanied (on a baby grand) piano by Frank Fetta, Nevada Opera Theatre's Principal Conductor, thrilled the gathering. As a conductor for our Opera, he is imposing, bringing quality leadership to the stage performances. As a pianist for this lovely presentation, he was a joy to watch. The airy, large salon gave the intimate setting for the performance a quite impressive acoustical backdrop. Fetta set the tone with his elegant accompaniment and explained what we were to enjoy on the not inconsiderable program.
  Viktoria Kurbatskaya, darling female lead of the Theatre's cast for Tosca (January 2006) sang several times. A renowned opera singer worldwide, Ms. Kurbatskaya, born in Russia, Belarusian trained, is one of her country's top divas, who has sang leads with the National Academic Great Opera of the Republic of Belarus. Her performances for the afternoon included Russian and Italian operatic vignettes and arias sung with her lovely flourish, her passionate renditions moving, to say the least. Her repertoire for the afternoon included the Russian arias of her own culture in homage to the Russian Art all around us that day. She sang alone, and with other members of the Theatre Company, with short intermissions. 
 In particular, Dr. Morton I. Hyson, one of our own local doctors, was the imposing baritone male counterpoint. His various contributions, fervently delivered, blended well with both Ms. Kurbatskaya, and young Rachel Von Hoffman, a diva in the making. A spirited mini-concert by Rosita Kanes on the piano was also a lovely, surprise of a cameo performance. All artists made for a lingering and brilliant afternoon of cultural splendor.
In May, the last private performance and fundraiser of the season was held at Turnberry Place, for The International Friendship Luncheon. A silent auction and champagne cocktails in the Stirling Club were followed by lunch in the Como dining room, one of the fine Charlie Palmer Group restaurants. Elaine Fish of John Fish Jewelers was honored, as well as donated jewelry for the live auction. Also honored were Kadell and Leezie Kremer.
The sponsored tables, bedecked with thematic decorations of the Opera or ethnic regions from Canada to the Antebellum South, Mexico and the Caribbean to France and Italy, England to Greece, Africa to Thailand, included a patriotic USA table as well. Lively conversation and much mingling between tables gave way to the live auction, where a Terry Ritter painting and Metropolitan Opera artwork from S2 Art Galleries was successfully auctioned. Bidders were further enticed by an exquisite Fish Jewelers designer pendant. Along with a Mexico cruise, everything added up to a successful fundraising event.
The performance followed, by the Nevada Opera Theatre Artists, well supported by Barbara Riske, accompanist, Caryn Gott, Harpist, and Marie Russell on the piano. Nevada Opera Theatre Artists sang a very diverse and well-received program with Demetra George, Dr. Morton I. Hyson, and Stephen Plummer. Demetra George and Stephen Plummer did 'La Boheme' and Dr. Morton I. Hyson sang both 'If I Were A Rich Man' and 'Old Man River.
NNotable guests were Mariano Lemus Gas, Consul de Mexico, Nevada's only full consul ambassador, and Marsala Ripka, and Joan Dimmitt, Beverly Mike Mykisen, Sondra Lynch, Joselyn Howarth, Paul and Karen Holm, Anna Nateece, Josephine Rossi, Nancy Hill, Kathy Kubik, Stephen Fish, Karen Fallon, Bruce and Barbara Woolen, Gloria and Jonathan Amozig.
All of these wonderful functions apparently occur due to the tireless hard work of the entire Guild, and in particular, those of three women: Organizer extraordinaire, Eileen Hayes, who founded the Guild and is the General Director of Nevada Opera Theatre; With Hayes, Karen Scherer, Guild Chairman and Lark Williams as Mistress of Ceremony, these events for the Nevada Opera Theatre were, at once, welcoming and also elegantly impressive and entertaining. Thank you, Ladies!
The 2006–2007 season looks promising. Up first is the "Opera Under The Stars" program, Saturday and Sunday, September 23rd & 24th at 7:30 p.m. (both evenings). The Nevada Opera Theatre and the MonteLago Village Resort, Lake Las Vegas, are the event sponsors. The program will feature Nevada Opera Theatre Artists, Orchestra and Chorus. This will surely be an evening to remember. Pre-Opera dinner will be at 5:30 p.m.
Also scheduled for the season: Hansel & Gretel in the Schools in November, The Holiday Celebration Luncheon and Performance in December, La Boheme in February, the spring luncheons in February and May, and finally, The Merry Widow in June.
Certainly an upcoming schedule with potential—let's all support their maturing company of artists with our attendance. 
For further information: 731-3370.
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