Deft use of color and space created a bravura season-opening gala for LA Opera, held Sept. 12 at the Los Angeles Music Center.

The event team faced the familiar challenge of keeping a familiar venue fresh, notes LA Opera special events manager Juliet Brown. To keep up excitement, the team keyed on the opera performance itself—Donizetti's "The Elixir of Love"—as its design touchstone.

POTION NOTION

The motif of a magic love potion swirling above a bottle appeared on invitations, table linen and programs. Gala chair Mary Hayley created an Italianate mood by adding fresco paintings of bucolic scenes and even bubbling fountains to the dining room.

Following the open-air reception on the plaza and the performance itself, the 400 guests entered a warm, enchanted world—really the cavernous Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Grand Hall. Deft using of draping brought down the high ceilings, and warm light in the dining area—in contrast to vibrant hues used outside—created the private, magical world.

VISIT OUR PHOTO GALLERY

To see images of the event, click here.

EVENT TEAM

The event team, led by Brown, included Special Occasions Event Planning, Chris Werner Design (lighting), Patina Catering, and Creative Intelligence (invitation and program design).