The 2018 San Francisco Symphony celebrated its 107th season opening-night gala on September 5 with a harmonic medley of iconic imagery woven into a contemporary tapestry of impressionism. More than 3,000 guests, including the city's most prolific philanthropists, luminaries, and patrons of the arts, enjoyed a magical evening enveloped in both visionary artistry and sound. This year, Michael Tilson Thomas commanded the hall as he conducted some of Hollywood's most iconic music, including Gershwin's An American in Paris, Cinema Paradiso, and Schindler's List, with a sensational performance by violin legend Itzhak Perlman. This lavish event was a fund-raiser to benefit the symphony's countless artistic, community, and education programs throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Symphony enthusiasts glided across a bouquet of flowers woven into the arrival carpet while stopping at a series of lenticular images for photo-op moments. Artistry in movement was ever present in this setting of classic black, white, gold, and rose tones. This dramatic motif was interwoven throughout all event areas spanning from San Francisco City Hall to Davies Symphony Hall. This event showcased an extravagant display of inspired designs and complex technical ingenuity requiring more than 100 Blueprint Studios production team members to execute nine events throughout the evening, including four simultaneous dinners. San Francisco City Hall featured an elegant cocktail reception in South Light Court followed by the Symphony Supper in the grand rotunda as well as the Symphonix dinner party in North Light Court. Wattis Room offered an intimate dining experience while Zellerbach Hall V.I.P. featured 48 crystal chandeliers and Grove Street showcased plush lounge seating and striking bar displays. The most opulent was the Patrons’ Dinner for 700 guests.
The 12,000-square-foot Patrons Pavilion embraced the emboldened patterns and colors of the arrival experience and hosted one of the evening’s four consecutive dinners. The ceiling was draped in midnight black dupioni and framed the more than 300 gold and rose gold illuminated glass pendants that cascaded at varying heights throughout the space. Walls filled with colossal bouquets of impressionistic flowers bookended a room set with a multitude of elegant dining arrangements. From traditional round tables draped with luxurious linens and tufted leather seats to contemporary black mirrored king tables and opaque acrylic chairs, this dining area was designed to embrace the uniqueness and diversity of the attendees while celebrating an artistry that ties us together. Blueprint Studios was honored to kick off San Francisco Symphony's 2018-19 season with Hensley Event Resources, McCalls Catering & Events, Global Gourmet Catering, and Got Light.
Since 2009, Blueprint Studios has been the exclusive designer of the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala, orchestrating every stage of the design for this high-profile celebration. With luxurious furnishings and cutting-edge print and fabrication techniques, this black-tie affair served as a stunning stage for Blueprint Studios to showcase its latest design breakthroughs and trendsetting innovations while supporting the community and arts.
