There are a lot of places to see a concert in O.C., but there’s nothing like sitting within the ruins of the Great Stone Church at dusk to hear a show. The Romance of the Mission gala featured Grammy nominee Rod Gilfry performing opera and classics, followed by a candlelight dinner in the Central Courtyard from the kitchens of The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.
The evening drew 400 guests to the Mission, raising some $210,000 to support preservation and traveling exhibits. Newport’s Traditional Jewelers donated a custom ring for the evening’s opportunity drawing, and Pacific Symphony Orchestra’s president John Forsyte was on hand to provide a surprise second item, which included four box seats and a Champagne reception for a performance at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.
