Scene Last Night: Feinberg, Flowers Toast New Year at Met Gala
J. Christopher Flowers shared his New Year’s resolution at the Metropolitan Opera’s gala performance of Verdi’s “La Traviata.”
“Make as much money as possible. Just kidding. I’m here for the glamour and the drama,” said the founder of the private-equity firm J.C. Flowers & Co.
The edgy new production starring Russian diva Marina Poplavskaya as the afflicted party girl attracted a full house, including Kenneth R. Feinberg, the president of the Washington National Opera who is also in charge of BP Plc’s $20 billion compensation fund.
Tickets to the performance and dinner cost $2,000 to $5,000.
Trailing in shortly before 7 p.m., were Natalie Portman, star of the ballet horror movie Black Swan,” who arrived in slush boots accompanied by her co-star and fiance, Benjamin Millepied.
The melting snow made shoe choice difficult all around, though some women managed high red stilettos in a gesture to the preferred color of the production by director Willy Decker and designer Wolfgang Gussmann.
Decker dispenses with the 19th-century tassles and acres of sets featured in the Met’s last production of “La Traviata” by Franco Zeffirelli.
Perfect for the evening, it comes with a ready-made New Year’s wink-wink: a giant tilted clock. The very clear message (not just for Violetta): Time is always running out.
She Was Dead
By 9:45, she was dead after raving touchingly at sobbing tenor Matthew Polenzani and baritone Andrzej Dobber, his regretful father.
When the curtain descended, some 400 guests gathered on the Grand Tier for the dinner hosted by philanthropist Adrienne Arsht, which raised $900,000. The tables came with noise makers and masks.
“Celebrating the arts is the best way possible to ring in the New Year,” said Arsht.
One of her guests, Tyne Daly, who is playing a famed Violetta of the past, Maria Callas, in a New York staging of “Master Class” this spring, said she liked the sparseness of the staging. “I thought it allowed us to hear the music again. It’s something you think you know, but tonight I heard it in a new way and it was beautiful.”
Poplavskaya arrived to cheers and just in time for the first course of chestnut soup, followed by roasted loin of veal served with wild mushrooms and crushed Yukon potatoes.
A burst of fireworks on the balcony overlooking Lincoln Center announced a new year of fundraising. Guests left with a Letts calendar.
(Amanda Gordon is a writer and photographer for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. Any opinions expressed are her own.)
To contact the writer on this story: Amanda Gordon at alougord@gmail.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
'La Traviata' Cast
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
The cast of the Metropolitan Opera's new production of "La Traviata" arrives to the gala supper following the performance. From left to right, Matthew Polenzani (Alfredo Germont); Marina Poplavskaya (Violetta Valéry) and Andrzej Dobber (Giorgio Germont).
The cast of the Metropolitan Opera's new production of "La Traviata" arrives to the gala supper following the performance. From left to right, Matthew Polenzani (Alfredo Germont); Marina Poplavskaya (Violetta Valéry) and Andrzej Dobber (Giorgio Germont). Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Marina Poplavskaya
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Soprano Marina Poplavskaya celebrated after her performance in Verdi's 'La Traviata' at the Metropolitan Opera. Poplavskaya also performs this season in Verdi's 'Don Carlo.'
Soprano Marina Poplavskaya celebrated after her performance in Verdi's 'La Traviata' at the Metropolitan Opera. Poplavskaya also performs this season in Verdi's 'Don Carlo.' Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Benjamin Millepied and Natalie Portman
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Benjamin Millepied and Natalie Portman at the Metropolitan Opera for the new production of "La Traviata." Portman recently announced that she is pregnant and engaged to Millepied, who coached her on her dancing in the film 'The Black Swan.'
Benjamin Millepied and Natalie Portman at the Metropolitan Opera for the new production of "La Traviata." Portman recently announced that she is pregnant and engaged to Millepied, who coached her on her dancing in the film 'The Black Swan.' Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Katherine G. Farley and Jerry I. Speyer
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Katherine G. Farley, chairman of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and her husband Jerry I. Speyer, the chairman of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, attend the Metropolitan Opera's New Year's Eve gala. Speyer is chairman and co-CEO, of the real estate investment management firm Tishman Speyer.
Katherine G. Farley, chairman of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and her husband Jerry I. Speyer, the chairman of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, attend the Metropolitan Opera's New Year's Eve gala. Speyer is chairman and co-CEO, of the real estate investment management firm Tishman Speyer. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Paul LeClerc and Judith Ginsberg
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
The president of the New York Public Library, Paul LeClerc, with his wife, the executive director of the Nash Family Foundation, Judith Ginsberg, at the Metropolitan Opera gala. LeClerc, who is retiring from the library in six months, is planning to write a dual biography of Louis XV and the king's lover Madame de Pompadour.
The president of the New York Public Library, Paul LeClerc, with his wife, the executive director of the Nash Family Foundation, Judith Ginsberg, at the Metropolitan Opera gala. LeClerc, who is retiring from the library in six months, is planning to write a dual biography of Louis XV and the king's lover Madame de Pompadour. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Arlene Arsht
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Philanthropist Adrienne Arsht at the New Year's Eve gala at the Metropolitan Opera, which she chaired. Arsht passed out chocolate bark at her two tables during dessert.
Philanthropist Adrienne Arsht at the New Year's Eve gala at the Metropolitan Opera, which she chaired. Arsht passed out chocolate bark at her two tables during dessert. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Eric Bogosian
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Actor and writer Eric Bogosian arrives at the Metropolitan Opera to see 'La Traviata.' His New Year's resolution is to work on a book about Armenia and improve his poker game.
Actor and writer Eric Bogosian arrives at the Metropolitan Opera to see 'La Traviata.' His New Year's resolution is to work on a book about Armenia and improve his poker game. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Met Opera Gala
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
J. Christopher Flowers, Anne Gray, and Mary and Sal Ranieri at the Metropolitan Opera's New Year's Eve Gala. Flowers, the founder of the private equity firm J.C. Flowers & Co., said his New Year's resolution is to "make as much money as possible."
J. Christopher Flowers, Anne Gray, and Mary and Sal Ranieri at the Metropolitan Opera's New Year's Eve Gala. Flowers, the founder of the private equity firm J.C. Flowers & Co., said his New Year's resolution is to "make as much money as possible." Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Barbara Tober
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Barbara Tober, the chairman emerita of the Museum of Art & Design, and Donald Tober, the chairman of Sugar Foods Corporation, dance to the music of the Peter Duchin Orchestra at the Metropolitan Opera's New Year's Eve gala. The band played romantic tunes as well as a cover of 'American Pie.'
Barbara Tober, the chairman emerita of the Museum of Art & Design, and Donald Tober, the chairman of Sugar Foods Corporation, dance to the music of the Peter Duchin Orchestra at the Metropolitan Opera's New Year's Eve gala. The band played romantic tunes as well as a cover of 'American Pie.' Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Karen and Kevin Kennedy
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Karen and Kevin Kennedy at the gala for the new production of "La Traviata" at the Metropolitan Opera. Kevin Kennedy, a member of the Met Opera board, helped underwrite the production.
Karen and Kevin Kennedy at the gala for the new production of "La Traviata" at the Metropolitan Opera. Kevin Kennedy, a member of the Met Opera board, helped underwrite the production. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Howard Solomon
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Howard Solomon, chairman and chief executive of Forest Laboratories Inc., with his grandson Calvin Solomon and Talicia Martins, at the gala supper following the opening of "La Traviata" at the Metropolitan Opera. Calvin Solomon, who is 12 years old, said he has been to the opera at least seven times.
Howard Solomon, chairman and chief executive of Forest Laboratories Inc., with his grandson Calvin Solomon and Talicia Martins, at the gala supper following the opening of "La Traviata" at the Metropolitan Opera. Calvin Solomon, who is 12 years old, said he has been to the opera at least seven times. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Met Opera
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Director Willy Decker, soprano Marina Poplavskaya, and Met Opera general manager Peter Gelb take their seats at the gala supper following the Met Opera debut of Decker's production of "La Traviata." The production features Poplavskaya as Violetta.
Director Willy Decker, soprano Marina Poplavskaya, and Met Opera general manager Peter Gelb take their seats at the gala supper following the Met Opera debut of Decker's production of "La Traviata." The production features Poplavskaya as Violetta. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
"La Traviata"
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Retired U.S. Army Colonel Scot Miller, Met Opera board member Daniel Terry Jr., Mary Terry, and Daniel Terry Sr. during intermission at "La Traviata," on opening night at the Metropolitan Opera. "The girl's voice is so high and even," said Mary Terry of Marina Poplavskaya's Violetta.
Retired U.S. Army Colonel Scot Miller, Met Opera board member Daniel Terry Jr., Mary Terry, and Daniel Terry Sr. during intermission at "La Traviata," on opening night at the Metropolitan Opera. "The girl's voice is so high and even," said Mary Terry of Marina Poplavskaya's Violetta. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Tyne Daly Peter Duchin and Stephen Wadsworth
Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
Tyne Daly, Peter Duchin, and Stephen Wadsworth during intermission of the Metropolitan Opera's new production of "La Traviata." Wadsworth is set to direct Daly in Terrence McNally's 'Master Class,' opening on Broadway in June.
Tyne Daly, Peter Duchin, and Stephen Wadsworth during intermission of the Metropolitan Opera's new production of "La Traviata." Wadsworth is set to direct Daly in Terrence McNally's 'Master Class,' opening on Broadway in June. Photographer: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg
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