Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan
The extravagant and elegant Wolf Trap Ball celebrated “Joie de Vivre” and partnered with The Embassy of France this year at The Filene Center Stage, supporting The Wolf Trap Foundation for the arts and education programs. Honorary hosts included Speaker John A. Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid;
“We are delighted to honor France’s rich history and contributions to the arts, and to welcome each of our guests to the Wolf Trap stage. Their involvement and generous support make it possible to bring diverse performing arts programs to the local community, as well as innovative arts education to the next generation through our unparalleled national teaching programs,” said Wolf Trap Foundation President and CEO Arvind Manocha.
Rep. Jim Moran and Arvind Manocha
His Excellency François Delattre, Ambassador of France, served as the Honorary Host. “It is my hope that you will join me in supporting this unique and spectacular black-tie event—an event that not only welcomes nearly 1,000 prominent and influential individuals from Washington and beyond, but also makes the many programs offered by Wolf Trap Foundation at America’s National Park for the Performing Arts possible,” Delattre said.
Franklin Lowe, Karen Schaufeld, The Amb. of Ireland – Anne Anderson, The Amb. of France – François Delattre
Guests were treated to a performance by Wolf Trap Opera Company singer and former Filene Young Artist Mireille Asselin. Fresh off her triumphant portrayal of Nannetta in Wolf Trap Opera Company’s production of Falstaff, the rising young star was also featured in Steven Blier’s recital Wonders To Wander To this summer. Asselin’s recent credits include appearances in Canadian Opera Company’s La clemenza di Tito as Servilia and Die Fledermaus as Adele.
Mireille Asselin
Wolf Trap Filene Center paid homage to one of Europe’s most iconic and enduring performing arts venues, Paris’s majestic Palais Garnier. Banners at the proscenium of the Filene Center stage featured the deconstructed painting The Ballet Scene from Meyerbeer’s Opera “Robert Le Diable” by Edgar Degas.
In keeping with the theme, dinner featured cocktails, including the French 75 and iconic Sidecar; foie gras, and a selection of fine cheeses, pâtés, and crêpe hors d’oeuvres; and a three course meal including sea scallop with duck confit, beef rossini, and a decadent caramel chocolate dessert. Dinner was complemented by French wines donated by Total Wine & More. They include the Salmon Sancerre Vieilles Vignes from Loire Valley and the Château Landat Haut-Médoc 2006, which received 90 points from Wine Enthusiast.
Each year the Wolf Trap Ball attracts a diverse guest list of philanthropic, business, political and cultural leaders, generating approximately $1 million in support of these programs.
The Scene:
