Lynn and Allan McBee‘s charming, 99-year-old home in Highland Park with its family photos and heirlooms was matched only by the charm of The Dallas Opera‘s new General Director Ian Derrer on the evening of Thursday, September 6.
The gathering of around 60 folks, including Mary McDermott Cook, Alice Bass, Carrie Ellen Adamian and James Wiley, was to officially welcome Ian back to the opera family, replacing former TDO General Director Keith Cerny.
Ian had been artistic administrator for TDO from 2014 to 2016. He was serving as general director of the Kentucky Opera when he was announced in April as the Dallas company’s new Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO. He assumed his new role in July.
As Winnie Hamlin first attempted to roll into the McBees’ living room in a wheelchair, the rug didn’t play fair, stopping the chair from moving forward. But not to worry. Lynn and Ian were Jane-and-Johnny-on-the-spot, straightening the rug and adjusting a coffee table that had been in the way. Soon enough Winnie rolled smoothly to a place next to the fireplace, where Holly Mayer and Davis Hamlin were chatting.