The evening of Thursday the 6^thFebruary found a prestigious gathering of opera enthusiasts and dignitaries in the Drawing Room of a beautiful private home in one of London’s most iconic Squares.  The first Soiree to be held in this house for over 150 years, guests were treated to an exclusive performance by soprano Katerina Mina and accompanist Anthony Legge.

Guests enjoyed a rich and varied programme, from Duparc’s Chanson Triste and Verdi’s Pace, pace mio Dio to Gershwin’s Summertime and Mancini’s Moon River. In the audience were 75 Friends of Israel Opera and their guests, including Israeli Ambassador His Excellency Mark Regev and Cyprus High Commissioner Andreas Kakouris, along with such luminaries of the music world as Maxine Braham (stage director); Alexander Joel (conductor); Rosalind Plowright OBE (renowned opera singer); Wasfi Kani, founder of the Grange Park Opera; Valerie Barber; who works tirelessly in classical music PR; opera critics Jehuda Shapiro, Stephen and Claudia Pritchard, George Hall, and Sam Smith; pianist and founder of the City of London Soloists, Stavros Dritsas.

Funds were raised for the work of the Israel Opera House in Tel Aviv. One guest describing the evening as ‘legendary‘ it was very much enjoyed by all, its popularity and success demonstrates clearly that these soirées will become essential events in the FIO calendar.

For further images and video of the event please visit our gallery.