Rather than presenting a full-length opera, the New York City Opera celebrated its fall gala with a concert of 22 performers performing a selection of opera highlights. It was a different and fresh approach, as was the evening’s decor. The company’s director of special events, Sarah Denton, said she “wanted to give [the event] a glamorous, starry feel.” After she shared the invitation—which featured eight-point stars and shades of blue with white—with event designer David Stark, he devised a dramatic installation of ribbon, a simple material put to interesting use. Rows of rope spanned either side of the long second-tier balconies of the New York State Theater’s Grand Promenade and held 5,000 blue and white streamers (cut from 15,000 yards of ribbon) that dangled in long lines over guests’ heads. From the floor, guests could look up into the abstract network of strips of fabric, which also helped combat the height of the space and give the event an intimate feel.
—Mark Mavrigian
Posted 09.26.06
Photos: Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan (table, ribbons close-up)
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—Mark Mavrigian
Posted 09.26.06
Photos: Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan (table, ribbons close-up)
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Love Letters Give Opera Opening Romantic Look
City Opera Has Romantic Arrangements
Opera Opening Brings Stage Design to Dinner
An installation of 5,000 blue and white ribbons decorated the wide open space of the New York State Theater's Grand Promenade.
Ribbons spanned the space between the balconies.
The ribbons helped soften the height of the room.
Blue and white gingham check linens covered the dinner tables.
