Opera Ball is Back After 3 Years Raising Over $1.25 Million

Houston most certainly knows how to roll out the red carpet for the most lavish ball gowns as the Houston Grand Opera’s Ball is back after three years. The Moroccan-themed affair, originally titled “Une Nuit à Marrakech” in 2020 and canceled just weeks from the night, “Le Voyage à Marrakech”—finally took place on Saturday, April 9, 2022. The signature white-tie event returned to the Wortham Theater Center after 5 years displaced—first from Harvey and then COVID-19. This mesmerizing colorful Moroccan adventure chaired by Jennifer and Benjamin Fink was also the first Opera Ball with new CEO and General Director Khori Dastoor.

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is one of the largest, most innovative, and most highly acclaimed opera companies in the United States. With its mission to advance the operatic art and serve the Houston community, HGO strives to be a global leader in the future of opera.

The Finks and Dastoor, along with Music and Artistic Director Patrick Summers, welcomed more than 470 guests with a red-carpet arrival featuring traditional Moroccan tea service, rugs by Abraham’s Rugs and a live camel photo op. The Grand Foyer was turned Marrakesh with an exotic festival of the senses with North African music by Moodafaruka, Morocco-inspired cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, fortune tellers, henna artists, and a luxe silent auction chaired by Teresa and José Ivo.

The charm continued during the seated dinner, with a grand entrance of Ball chairs Jennifer and Ben Fink, with Jennifer carried in on a sparkling Amariya—a tradition typically reserved for lavish Moroccan weddings. A belly dancer performance and surprise performance of “La Vie en Rose” by soprano Ana María Martínez followed before dinner commenced.

City Kitchen Catering tantalized guest palates with an over-the-top Mediterranean feast highlighting the many flavors of Morocco. Medjool Dates with Spiced Keffir Cheese and Almonds. The first seated course presented in elegant copper tagines was Harissa Marinated Diver Scallops and Shrimp with Mint, Tomato, Cucumber and Red Onion in a Scallop Shell on a Bed of Aromatic Rock Salt. The main course wowed with Ras El Hanout Rack of Lamb with Cinnamon and Dried Fruits. And the finale dessert was a Gilded Chocolate Genie Lantern filled with Dark Chocolate Mousse and Garnished with Figs and Anise Whipped Cream.

Spotted at this most lavish ball were: Chairs Jennifer and Benjamin Fink, Meredith and Ben Marshall, Zane and Brady Carruth, Margaret Alkek Williams, Lynn Wyatt, Susan Sarofim, Dian and Harlan Stai, Sarah and Aaron Stai, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Khori Dastoor and BenJoaquin Gouverneur, Patrick Summers, Sarah and Bill Morgan, Franci Neely, Ron Franklin and Janet Gurwitch, Kristina and Paul Somerville, Myrtle Jones and Brandon McClendon, After Party Chair Lauren Randle, Sarahbeth and Pierce Bush, Brad and Joanna Marks, Robert Sakowitz, Sallie Sargent, Hon. Chuck Silverman and Maria Victoria Vargas, Molly and Jim Crownover, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Anne and Albert Chao, Kathy and Marty Goossen, Claire Liu and Joe Greenberg, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, Beth Madison, Hon. Chase and Diana Untermeyer, Janet and John Carrig, Karen and Mel Payne, Jill and Allyn Risley, Brooke and Shanin Naghavi, Mithu and Shammi Malik, Glen Rosenbaum and Rita Leader, Laura and Brad McWilliams, Betty and Jess Tutor, Kelly and David Rose, Josh and Mindy Davidson, Monica Karuturi and Kumaran Kumaran, Lori and David LePori, Isabel and Danny David, Kristy and Chris Bradshaw, Janwa and Suhail Sikhtian, Allyson Pritchett, Drs. Rachel and Warren Ellsworth, Kit Gwin, Shavonda and James Harris, Dr. Yvonne and Rufus Cormier, Julia and Jason Wang, Beth Wolff, Cynthia Wolff, Astley Blair and Vivianna Jolie, Susy and Joel Diaz, Matthew Healey, Stella and Steven Tang, Alan and Frank York, Niki and James Lassiter, Younes Belatier and Dr. Karima Chami.