the gala
FRIday, november 10, 2023 | 6:30 PM
The anderson pavilion
Event Chairs: Reena Dhanda Patil, M.D. and Brian L. Tiffany
Honorees: Milly and Doc Huffman
Opera is Truth.
Opera is Beauty.
Time and time again, Cincinnati Opera’s storytelling has given voice to those who are voiceless, presented truths that resonate with our community, and touched the hearts of our audiences. Opera unites all the art forms to express beauty through sets, costuming, and lighting design, dance, and of course, music. Operatic stories embody the extremes of human emotion and to reflect that, we are focusing on the extremes of color: black and white with a hint of mystery. We hope you’ll embrace this theme and dazzle us with your choice of stunning outfit, and perhaps add some flair and intrigue with a mask.
Our exclusive evening commences at the Pichler Fountains and Carol Ann’s Carousel offering a breathtaking view of the Roebling Bridge, accompanied by cocktails, entertainment, scrumptious bites, and even the opportunity for a ride on the carousel. The festivities continue downstairs in the Pavilion with a delectable dinner curated by eat well celebrations and feasts. And what would an opera event be without a fabulous performance following dinner? As this is a fundraiser, we hope you’ll come prepared to bid on our auction!
Attire: Black-tie inspired; black and white with a mask for intrigue and mystery
the gallery
Click below to view the fully downloadable gallery of images, courtesy of Paige Pederzani. (Kindly credit Paige if you post or use photos.)
the AUCTIONS
Revelers will enjoy the chance to bid on luxurious and one-of-a-kind experiences in the live auction during dinner and featuring gala favorite Gene Steiner of Steiner Auctions, as well as the silent auction which runs 6:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
the artists
the evening
6:30 p.m. • Cocktails and Carousel
7:45 p.m. • Dinner
Curated by Chef Renée Schuler of eat well celebrations and feasts (menus selections below), followed by an honoree tribute and live auction
Cast Skillet-seared Filet Mignon
Black peppercorn brandy sauce, black sesame tuile, potato and celery root gratin, grilled asparagus
-or-
Seared Halibut
Yuzu white chocolate sauce and fresh basil oil, potato and celery root gratin, wok-charred haricot vert
-or-
Apricot Harissa Seared Romanesco
Warm kale, chickpea, and toy box tomato salad, roasted sweet potato puree, grilled asparagus
9:30 p.m. • Soirée with a View
Late-night snacks, espresso bar, and more along with performances by Cincinnati Opera Artists
the gala committee members
Barbara S. Hahn
Candyse Jeffries, D.M.D.
Alek Lucke
Regina Carswell Russo
Edward B. Silberstein, M.D.
James D. Stapleton
Tricia Suit
Heather Vecellio
Ronna K. Willis
Brett Willson
Premier Sponsor
Black & White Sponsor
Soirée with a View Sponsor
Bubbly Bar Sponsor
Candyse L. Jeffries, D.M.D., and Michael A. Marrero
Truth Table Sponsors
The Edelweiss Foundation
Liz Grubow and Jerry Kathman
Milly and Doc Huffman
Nanci and Nick Lanni
Terri and Bradbury Skidmore, M.D.
Laura and Douglas Skidmore
Beauty Table Sponsors
1919 Investment Counsel
Ron Bates and Randy Lasley
The Allen-McCarren Trust
Flávia Bastos, Ph.D., and Larry Huston
Onassis A. Caneris
ForPsych - A Forensic Psychology Practice
Linda Holthaus and Richard Zinicola
Yemisi Jones, M.D., and Alvin Jones, M.D.
Kennedy Winters
Lynn and Don Larson
Reena Dhanda Patil, M.D., and Yash Patil, M.D.
Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Julia Meister, Esq. and Sarah C. Leyshock, Esq.
Brian L. Tiffany and Jerry Ewers
Jeannine and John C. Winkelmann, M.D.
Peg and Jack Wyant
Anne and Allen Zaring III
Verity Sponsors
Paule D. Asch, Ph.D.
Patty and Jim Beggs
Elaine Billmire, M.D., and David Billmire, M.D.
Barbara and Thomas Boat, M.D.
Candace Cioffi
Claire and Alan Eichner
Barbara Gould
Barbara and Jack Hahn
Julie Grady Heard
Mona and Richard Kerstine, M.D.
Marcie and Jim Kinney
Margaret LeMasters, M.D.
Rick Maddux
Kathleen and Joseph Martin, M.D.
Carol and Robert Olson
Cassandra and Glenn Plott
Sandra Porada
Stephen Ferguson, Ph.D., and Nicholas W. Puncer
Ellen and Louis Ross
Regina Carswell Russo and Matthew Russo
Jacqueline M. Mack and Edward B. Silberstein, M.D.
Murray Sinclaire, Jr.
Elizabeth Shaughnessy, M.D., Ph.D., and James Stapleton
Susan R. Strick, M.D.
Tricia Suit and Eric Appleby
Mary Ann and Bill Taylor
Catharina Toltzis, Ph.D. and Robert Toltzis, M.D.
Ronna and James Willis, M.D.
Splendor Sponsors
Julie and Khosrow Alamin, M.D.
Jessica and Charlie Baverman
Chrissie and Josh Blatt
Jennifer D. Buchholz
Jean and Alvin Crawford, M.D.
Margaret Cunningham, Ph.D., and Daniel Cunningham
Olga Duarte, M.D., and Garth Stevens, M.D.
Jen DuBois
Doug Ignatius and Bruce Preston
Kevin Jones
Bandana Waikhom and Hani Kallas
Peter Koenig and Lucy Hodgson
David L. Martin
Abby Moran
Beatriz Porras, M.D., and Alvaro Ryes, M.D.
Mike Powell and Jonathan Egel
Stephen Ferguson, Ph.D., and Nicholas W. Puncer
John R. Spencer
Sarah and Jason Riveiro
Jay Springer
Barbara and Irwin Weinberg
Gabriella and Mario Zuccarello, M.D.
Donations in Honor of Milly and Doc Huffman
Virginia Wells Adams
Patty and Jim Beggs
Sheila and Christopher Cole
Hilary Boone Foundation, Inc.
on behalf of George and Alyce Hoskins
Karlee L. Hilliard
Rabbi Kenneth A. Kanter
Stratos Kranias
Gregory Ladd
Maya and Greg LaLonde
Lauren Lewis
George O. McDaniel
Molly and Chris Milligan
Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Nicol
Joe Peacock
John Nelson Peck
W. Brent Rice
Barbara and Thomas Thornbury
Linda Van Meter
Joan and Randy Waddell
Brett Willson
Supporters
Lorraine Becker
Sharon Downing
Judith Imhoff
Arleene Keller
Whitney and Phillip Long
Marcia and Robert R. Lukin, M.D.
Daniel Pfahl - themusicminions
Kelli and Richard Stein
Susan and John M. Tew, Jr., M.D.
Ginger and David Warner
Auction Sponsors
American Sign Museum
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Rachael A. Rowe and Michael L. Cioffi
Monteverdi Tuscany
eat well celebrations and feasts
Claire and Alan Eichner
Eichner Investment Planning
Jeff Thomas Catering
Losanti
Margaret and Chip Montrose
Emil Robinson
Revel OTR Urban Winery
The Travel Byrds
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
WOW Windowboxes
Peg and Jack Wyant
Grandin Properties
Special Thanks
Anderson Pavilion at Smale Riverfront Park
Balloon Bombed
Del Gardo’s Cannoli
DJ Toad
eat well celebrations and feasts
Harlan Graphic Arts Services, Inc.
Macaron Bar
Miller Gallery
Prestige AV & Creative Services
Pederzani Studios
PIVOTstudio
Steiner Auctions
Unataza Coffee
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
(List as of Nov. 10, 2023)