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The gorgeous tented Opera Ball Pavilion designed by Robert Fountain

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Cathy MacNaughton, San Francisco Opera's general director David Gockley, SF Opera Guild president Ann Girard, and Diane Rubin

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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi with Paul Pelosi and Denise Hale

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Sonya Molodetskaya and Deepa Pakianathan flank former SF mayor Willie Brown

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Jeanne Lawrence with legendary clothier Wilkes Bashford

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Dede Wilsey—SF Opera's opening weekend grand sponsor—Boaz Mazor

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Priscilla Geeslin and Carey Perloff, artistic director of the American Conservatory Theater

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Designer Ken Fulk with Denise Hale and Alexis Traina

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Riley Johndonnell with LGBT leader Mark Rhoades

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Virginia Girard with Ann Girard, president of SF Opera Guild

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Joan Lavorgna, Maria Pitcairn, and Andrea Schultz

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Timothy Blackburn, Athena Blackburn, Nancy Livingston, and Fred Levin

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Shannon Cronan, John Capizzi, and Jane Mudge

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Jack Calhoun and Trent Norris serve on the SF Opera's Honorary Committee

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Steve Diamond, Marti Diamond, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, and Anita Lee

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Kathy Hilton and Alan Malouf

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On September 7, San Francisco Opera opened it's 90th anniversary season with an exuberant, elegant celebration at the War Memorial Opera House. The evening's theme—Notte di Spendore—telegraphed the gala's highlight: a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s brilliant and dramatic Rigoletto conducted by Music Director Nicola Luisotti.

Guests all enjoyed a gorgeous tented Opera Ball Pavilion designed by Robert Fountain, under which McCall's Catering & Events curated a grand feast. The ball was presented by the San Francisco Opera Guild, with proceeds funding award-winning programs benefiting more than 60,000 students in over 230 schools throughout Northern California.

Photos: Drew Altizer Photography