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 Lauren Lizárraga, Event Chair, and Dolores Elena Richardson, HLAO President, were in charge of organizing the annual event dedicated to thank HLAO Contributing Members for helping to continue the work of increasing the LA Opera Hispanic audience and the Education and Community Services Programs.
(Image: Orlando Mongalo, René Gómez and Carlos Payán)
It was a beautiful afternoon; we were able to enjoy the view of the northeast part of the city, the hills and the faraway mountains illuminated by a bright Los Angeles sun against an especially blue sky.
 After enjoying the delicious wine and the light dinner, the pro-gram started. Lauren welcomed the guests, and underwriters of the event, René Gomez, the Laird family and TELACU before introducing the members of the Board who were present .She also thanked Dolores Richardson and Rachel Torres, LA Opera Special Events Coordinator, for their help before introducing Chair Alicia Clark.
(Image: Matthew Lobaugh, pianist; Danielle Walker, soprano and Diego Torre, tenor)
Alicia talked about the goals and achievements of HLAO. In the 18 years of activities HLAO has helped raise $720,000 for LA Opera. The Hispanic audience has grown from 1% to10% and HLAO is 2,300 members strong.
Members of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors who have distinguished themselves for their dedication, enthusiasm, and work to reach HLAO goals received the Volunteer of the Year Award. Orlando Mongalo, Secretary and Mailing List Committee Chair, and Carlos Payán, HLAO Treasurer, received this award from HLAO President Dolores Richardson and Chair Alicia Clark who presented a short bio and description of the activities of both awardees.
There was also a very happy moment to celebrate Mother’s Day and congratulate all the mothers who were present.
(Image: Mr. Michael Lizárraga, Stephanie, Lauren, Christina and Mrs. Oeneida Lizarraga)
Later Lauren introduced the members of the LA Opera Young Artists Program: soprano Danielle Walker, tenor Diego Torre and pianist Matthew Lobaugh who presented a carefully selected group of arias, a song from a zarzuela and the love duet from the end of the first act of La bohème. After a long-standing ovation the artists discussed their art and future engagements. Diego will make his debut with the Metropolitan Opera during the 2010-2011 Season. It was a great opportunity to hear two future stars of the opera.
Among those attending were: Alicia Aertgeerts, Juan And Carmen Alvarez, Robert Amran and Violeta Gershenson, Manuel Baca, Cande and Edna Ceballos, Edward E. Clark and Edward E. Clark Jr., Rafael de Marchena, Mónica Gutierrez and Roper Trevor, Christine Gregory, Rubi Hanan, Nina Haro, Diana Hartl, Dora Hernández, Angelina and Juliet King, Juanita Kotten, David and Priscilla Lizárraga, Rosario and Palmira Medrano, Gus and Mary Montañéz, Joan Newman, Rodolfo and Xiomara Ortíz, Darío and Vivian Quiróga, Alfred and Gladys Rodríguez, Michael and Noemí Walker and many more.
(Image: Xiomara Ortiz, Priscila Lizárraga, Angelita Lizárraga, Nydia
Payan, Nora Smith, Maria Montanez) |
