On
Tuesday, October 28, 2008, The Solti Foundation U.S. again celebrated
the life of Sir Georg Solti. The benefit dinner and program
were held at The Casino in Chicago and it was truly an elegant evening.
A cocktail reception preceded the musical program that featured
famed soprano, Nicole Cabell who sang Song to the Moon by
Dvorak and Gershwin's Summertime, Former CSO Principal
Clarinetist Larry Combs played a Hungarian Dance by Weiner and Bass-Baritone
Jonathan Lemalu sang songs by Keel and Mozart.
The winner of the Solti Foundation 2008 Grant was announced by Lady
Valerie Solti. The winner is Joseph Young, Assistant Conductor
of the Baltimore Symphony. Deborah Card, president of the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra (CSO) was the evening's master of ceremonies. Dinner
followed and featured pumpkin bisque soup, tenderloin of beef and
a warm chocolate cake with fresh raspberries for dessert. Multi-colored
flowers adorned the Casino's dining tables.
Chairing the benefit was Penny van Horn. The honorary chairman was
Lady Valerie Solti and Renee Fleming is the honorary president. The
event was sponsored by Bessemer Trust. Members of the dinner
committee included Katherine Abelson, Mitzi Freidheim, Catherine
Graham, Mary Gray, Diana Davis Mason, Kay Mabie, Lyn Little,
Cathy Osborn, Ingrid McNeill, and Avis Herseth. Other
guests were art benefactor, Joan Harris, retired CSO musicians Bud
Herseth and Fred Spector, Lyric Opera's William Mason and Roger
Pines, the Chicago Symphony's Artistic Vice-President, Martha
Gilmer,Chorus Director, Duaine Wolfe and Sel Kardan of the Music
Institute of Chicago and Paul Curran, Artistic Director of the Oslo,
Norway Opera and currently, Director of Lyric's Lulu.
The Solti Foundation was formed to assist outstanding young American
musicians at the start of their professional careers. The awardees
are Solti's legacy to the world of music. Sir Georg was conductor
of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1969-1991 and laureate conductor
until 1997. The much loved and revered Solti is remembered
by his many friends and associates not only in Chicago, but throughout
the world.
