Ars Lyrica Houston Breaks Fundraising Record At A Mid-Winter Night’s Dream Gala

A Mid-Winter Night’s Dream themed gala for Ars Lyrica Houston surpassed its previous fundraising record this year. There were several surprises in store for guests at this gala. Guests were delighted by the artistry of the gala honoree, Dr. Sippi Khurana with her impromptu performance of a Vivaldi’s violin concerto movement accompanied by lute. The musical performance continued with the evening’s spirited program, including selections by Purcell and Spanish Baroque composers that featured Ars Lyrica artists mezzo-soprano Cecilia Duarte, lutenist Arash Noori, and percussionist Jésus Pacheco, with remarks by Artistic Director Matthew Dirst. Later guests were then swept away with the biggest surprise of the evening as gala chairs Stephanie von Stein and Dr. Mark A. Schusterman, tied the knot. Stephanie entered from the back of ballroom in a white gown, and walked down the aisle to Schubert’s Ave Maria.

The beautiful evening took place at the modern luxury Hotel Alessandra in downtown Houston. Gala proceeds support Ars Lyrica’s biennial Baroque opera productions, which began in Fall 2018 with Handel’s Agrippina at the Hobby Center, a production that played to rave reviews.

Stopped at the evening were: Ars Lyrica’s Artistic Director Matthew Dirst and Sixto Wagan, Executive Director Kinga Ferguson, Beth Madison, Drs. Warren and Rachel Ellsworth, Beth Wolf, Tammy and Wayne Nguyen, David Peck, Kristina and Paul Somerville, Hallie Vanderhider, Jano and John Kelley, Barbara van Postman, Astley Blair, Darrin Davis & Mario Gudmundsson, Dr. Ishwaria Subbiah, Ajay Khurana, Diana Collins, Teresa and William Reading, and Miya Shay and Gene Wu.