More than 270 guests in black-tie attire gathered at the Center Club in Costa Mesa on Sept. 26 in celebration of the Pacific Symphony’s 35th anniversary
More than 270 guests in black-tie attire gathered at the Center Club in Costa Mesa on Sept. 26 in celebration of the Pacific Symphony’s 35th anniversary season opening night. The event, Rachmaninoff—From Russia With Love, began with a grand dinner, cocktail reception, and a performance of Russian folk dances from UC Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts. Raising $165,000 in support of the Pacific Symphony’s artistic and educational programs, the evening’s true celebration began at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall with a dramatic recital of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, led by music director Carl St.Clair and performed by pianist Conrad Tao. At the conclusion of the performance, guests savored Champagne, Russian chocolates and music by the Joey Sellers Quartet. —A.T.
