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Martha Stewart and Sophia Loren
Honor Charles Simonyi at
Russian National Orchestra 15th Anniversary Gala
The Russian National Orchestra marked its landmark 15th anniversary with festivities in London, St. Petersburg and Moscow, and a celebratory United States tour capped off with a glittering gala in New York City, March 7, 2006 at the St. Regis Hotel.
Sophia Loren and Martha Stewart were the evening's Honorary Chairs, serving along with International Chair Janna Bullock and Dinner Chair Marianne Wyman. The event honored Charles Simonyi, RNO benefactor and former Chief Architect of Microsoft Corporation.
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| Honorary Chairs Sophia Loren and Martha Stewart celebrate with honoree Charles Simonyi at the Russian National Orchestra's 15th Anniversary Gala at New York's St. Regis Hotel. The Seattle philanthropist and software developer received the RNO's Silver Baton Award for his pioneering work in technology, his patronage of the arts and his long-time support of Russia's first independent orchestra. (Photo: Scott Rudd/PMc Patrick McMullan Company) |
Leadership Sponsors Janna Bullock, Tatiana and Gerret Copeland, Conrad Hock, Jr., and Peter T. Paul headed a long list of Anniversary Gala sponsors and contributors who helped raise more than $540,000 for the RNO Musicians Fund.
Sophia Loren and Martha Stewart were on hand to present Simonyi with the RNO's Silver Baton award for his pioneering work in technology and for his patronage of the arts. Sophia's son and daughter-in-law, Andrea and Carlo Ponti Jr., were also there for the festivities.
And a festive evening it was! Susan Hutchison, Executive Director of the Charles Simonyi Fund for the Arts and Sciences, emceed a program that included performances from pianist Yefim Bronfman, soloist for several of the 15th Anniversary Tour concerts; Nina Kotova, Artistic Director of the Festival del Sole, a new international festival that will launch in Napa in July 2006 with the RNO as founding orchestra; and Mikhail Simonyan, a young violinist who has appeared with the RNO in Moscow. Capping the musical interludes was the world premiere of Program Dances by RNO resident composer Andrey Rubtsov. The delightful piece, performed by the RNO Strings Ensemble, was commissioned by the orchestra in Simonyi's honor, and the score is dedicated to him. The musical theme was reprised in the fabulous dessert — Pavlova à la Simonyi garnished with a chocolate placard carrying the opening bars of Program Dances.
The gala was the centerpiece of a four-day celebration built around the RNO's Tchaikovsky Festival appearance at Lincoln Center. Hailed by the critics, the three concerts were led by Vladimir Jurowski, making his New York symphonic debut on the RNO's coast-to-coast 15th Anniversary tour. New York sponsors joined major patrons from around the country for the performances and the parties that followed each one. Petrossian welcomed the group after Sunday's matinee and, the next night, Jenifer and George Lang hosted a Hungarian-themed dinner honoring good friend Charles Simonyi at their Café des Artistes. Both events, as well as the gala, featured fine wines from Grove Street Winery and Peter Paul Wines donated by RNO benefactor Peter T. Paul. For the final celebration of the week the Russian Arts Foundation created one of its famed wine dinners at Café Gray, with 1980s Latour and Château d'Yquem RNO patron Tom Black provided from his private cellar.
At the St. Regis, mixing music with the stars were Sharon Bush and Gerald Tsai, Kate and Andy Spade, Audrey Gruss, April and Roddy Gow, Town & Country Editor-in-Chief Pamela Fiori with her husband Colt Givner, Dinner Chair spouse John Wyman, Larissa Sidorova for sponsor MTS, Elizabeth Stribling and Guy Robinson, Carole Parsons Bailey with Mark Pasmentier, George and Jenifer Lang, Somers and Jonathan Farkas, Jillian Sackler, Clo and Charles Cohen, Barclay Butera, Elaine Sargent, Alice Judelson, Olga Rostropovich, Peter Lusk, The Starr Foundation's Gladys Thomas, Rita Mehos, Shelby White, Cees and Elly Bruynes, Christa Percopo, Barry Farber, Jennifer Acker of Samson Capital Partners, Lucy and Nathaniel Day, and Mark Langrish on behalf of Stolichnaya, which donated its luxury 'elit' vodka for the RNO celebration. IMG Artists Chairman Barrett Wissman, who with the RNO is launching the Festival Del Sole in the Napa Valley this summer, was also on hand.
The large contingent from out of town included Peter T. Paul and Jude Blake, Tatiana and Gerret Copeland, Deborah and Conrad Hock, Barbara Roach, M. Lee Pearce, Laurie and Scott Oki, Donna Miller Casey, Quellos Financial Advisors' Michael Polenske, Arlene Inch, John and Caroline McCallister, Mallory Hill, Tom Thomson from The PBN Company, Norma Byer and daughter Beverly, and Mary Ann Pocapalia with daughters Maria and Diana. Also traveling to New York as a family were Texans Lou Dunn Diekemper with her daughter and son-in-law, Mia and Jerry Maddoux.
Please see Photos and Gala Sponsors for more on the RNO's 15th Anniversary celebration.
For more information on the RNO's 15th Anniversary Tour, please contact:
Russian Arts Foundation
+1.415.421.7137 •