On Monday, November 28, 2011, New York City Opera held its Fall Gala at the Waldorf=Astoria to welcome Charles R. Wall as Chairman of the Board. The evening included electrifying performances by Rod Gilfry, Laquita Mitchell, Melody Moore, and Taylor Stayton, in selections from the upcoming season’s productions of La traviata, Così fan tutte, and Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna, as well as other opera favorites. Led by Gala Co-Chairs Susan L. Baker, Emilie Roy Corey, Caroline Cronson, Mary Sharp Cronson, Edmée Firth, Joan Granlund, James Marlas, Mark and Lorry Newhouse, Mrs. James C. Slaughter, and Svetlana and Herbert M. Wachtell, the event raised over $640,000 in support of City Opera. The glamorous evening marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the company’s history.
