While The Family Place ReuNighters kicked off at Stanley Korshak on Thursday, October 10, the Dallas Opera loving 1st Night patrons were north of the Dallas CBD at Lisa and David Genecov’s Preston Hollow mansion.
Just off the entry 1st Night Co-Chairs Carol and Don Glendenning were happily settled in the two-story library, while 1st Sight 1st Night Co-Chairs Kim and Greg Hext welcomed guests like Marnie and Kern Wildenthal, Ruben Esquivel, Cheryl and Richard Joyner, Linda and Mitch Hart, Ian Derrer, Susan Jenevein and Rhonda Sargent Chambers.
The Dallas Opera’s Music Director Emmanuel Villaume made last minute checks before soprano Diana Newman performed with accompanist Christopher Devlin.
It was revealed that in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, the Dallas Zoo would be partnering the fundraiser on Friday, October 18, at the Winspear thanks to sponsors Diane and Hal Brierley. Made perfect sense since the Ellen and Don Winspear, the Hexts and the Brierley are extreme zoo supporters plus the fact that the evening’s production is “The Magic Flute.”
According to Ellen, “We are tremendously excited about this unprecedented partnership and the attention it will bring to the living treasures we have at the Dallas Zoo.
“Mozart’s masterpiece includes a charming scene in which a fantastical collection of wild animals is tamed by the sound of a magic flute. Dallas Opera patrons on October 18 will find the live version in the Winspear even more impossible to resist.”
As part of the partnership, “special two-and-four-footed representatives” will be part of the 1st Night festivities.