As soon as they entered the Renaissance Harbor Place Hotel, Baltimore Opera Company supporters were greeted by two costumed characters they knew well -- Madame Butterfly and Lieutenant Pinkerton from Puccini's opera. Upstairs, 375 guests celebrated the BOC's 50th anniversary at the "50 Grand" Opera Ball, and mixed with other famous figures. There were more of opera's legendary -- like "La Traviata's" Violetta and Alfredo -- and then there were the living legends -- international opera stars Renata Scotto and Renate Bahle, as well as Baltimore's own jazz virtuoso Ethel Ennis.
The evening's opera buffs included: Susan and David Brune, event co-chairs; Barbara Bozzuto, 50th Anniversary Steering Committee chair; Maureen and George Collins, 50th Anniversary Gala Committee chairs; Lisa Bertani, BOC board chair; Dr. Allan Jensen, Dr. Beatrice and Dr. David Miller, Barrie Drum, and David Fishman, board members; Michael Harrison, BOC general director; Deborah Rose, Baltimore Opera Guild chair; Christian Badea, "Elektra" conductor; Earl Arnett, Baltimore writer; Andi Broom, Towson personal trainer; Bean Sibel, Baltimore County Revenue Authority chair; Dr. Willarda Edwards, Baltimore internist; William Herman, Concord Partners principal; Robin Oegerle, Ferris, Baker Watts Inc. director of marketing; Ron Fish, partner with Ballard Spahr; and Carl Eastwick, partner with Eastwick Rose and Wright.
