Houston Symphony Opens Season with Stirring Performance and Glam Late-Night Dinner

Diana Fisher, Bernie Cantu and Jasmine Reese

ALWAYS ONE OF the most posh spectacles of the fall season, Opening Night at the Houston Symphony was an evening of taut cultural presentations and glamorous socializing.

The fabulous affair began with Champagne and hors d’oeuvres at a freshly renovated Jones Hall before a performance featuring Juraj Valčuha leading the large, stage-filling orchestra and Houston Symphony Chorus — including a special performance by soprano Erin Morley. The night shifted into a new gear after the show, as some 350 patrons were ferried on luxury busses to a regally decked-out Corinthian for a lavish dinner, per the custom.

“The décor, created by The Events Company, drew inspiration from Paris,” noted a Symphony rep. “Tables, dressed in French-inspired blue linens filled the room, and were topped with candelabras and varying high and low floral centerpieces in shades of pink and red with hints of blue and green. Additionally, an Eiffel Tower adorned with florals accompanied the red carpet.”

The rep described the menu. “Dinner began with a bib lettuce wedge salad with toasted walnuts, grilled pear, pickled celery, radishes, crumbled roquefort and moutard de meaux vinaigrette.” The entrée was grilled sea bass with saffron beurre blanc and fennel-olive vierge, spaghetti squash, jumbo asparagus and cute mini-muffins of potato and dill. Thanks to a long and enduring partnership with Lindy and John Rydman of Spec’s Wine, Spirits, & Finer Foods, wine selections for the meal were first-rate. For dessert: a chocolate terrine with crème anaglaise, almond tuile and melon sorbet.

Mariglyn and Stephen Glenn were chairs for the lovely night, in which performing arts champion Beth Madison was honored. ConocoPhillips was a major sponsor for the event for the 38th year. VIP guests included Margaret Alkek Williams, Bobbie Nau, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Suresh and Renu Khator, Hallie Vanderhider, Bobby Dees, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin.