Stars come out to help symphony open season

The San Diego Symphony hosted its season-opening gala, “Opus 2011: A Night in Paris,” Oct. 1 at the University Club atop Symphony Towers. The French-themed pre- and post-concert activities included cocktails, dinner, cabaret music, can-can dancers, mimes, richly decadent pastries, casino games of chance, and even a silver service of French toast, French fries and French dip!

Joyce and Craig Grosvenor chaired the gala to raise funds for the symphony’s education and outreach programs that serve more than 53,000 students each year.

The concert starred soprano Kathleen Battle and French pianist Jean Yves Thibaudet, and under the direction of maestro Jahja Ling, the repertoire included Gabriel Fauré’s “Piano Quartet No. 1” and Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero,” which ended in a standing ovation.

Photo: Susan DeMaggio