Nashville Opera Guild Honors Earl Swensson, 1/22

Each year Nashvillians gather for one special evening of gourmet foods, fine wines, and unforgettable song at the Nashville Opera Guild's La Bella Notte. This year's gala will be held at the Hilton Downtown Nashville Hotel on Saturday, January 22, 2011 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The black-tie event is the organization's largest annual event fundraiser, with proceeds supporting a variety of education initiatives including Nashville Opera's Mary Ragland Young Artist Program and in-school outreach performances throughout Middle Tennessee. In addition to the gourmet dinner with wines paired to each course, the evening features a silent auction of luxury items and exotic travel packages. La Bella Notte is co-chaired for the first time by mother and daughter, Louise Kitchens and Carla Nelson, with Judy Liff Barker serving as this year's honorary chairperson. Tickets are $250 per person and are available by calling Nashville Opera at (615) 832-5242.

"La Bella Notte is truly the most unique and entertaining dinner party in Nashville," says Carla Nelson, co-chair. "We are grateful for the leadership and support of Earl Swensson and Associates and Lexus of Nashville who are sponsors of this year's event."

The Nashville Opera Guild and underwriting sponsor Waller, Landsen, Dortch, and Davis presented the La Bella Notte Patron Party on Saturday, January 15 at the home of Barbara and Mike Barton. The event featured musical selections from soprano Rachele Schmiege, and tenor Stephan Barner, accompanied by Amy Tate Williams.

The highlight of La Bella Notte is the presentation of the Francis Robinson Award. For 2011, Earl Swensson, community-leader and renowned architect of the award-winning Noah Liff Opera Center, was selected for his years of dedicated service to Nashville Opera. Established in 2005, the Francis Robinson Award is presented annually to recognize leadership and support of opera throughout Middle Tennessee.

The Mary Ragland Young Artist Program (MRYAP) members, who are also in the cast of Nashville Opera's upcoming production of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, will provide entertainment- which often includes plenty of audience participation- between courses. The MRYAP program offers developing professional singers valuable performance experience in Nashville Opera productions.

About Nashville Opera
Nashville Opera, Tennessee's largest professional opera company, is dedicated to creating legendary productions and programs. Among the most successful regional companies in the United States of America, Nashville Opera has presented three different world premiere operas since its inception in 1981. Main stage performances are presented at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and play to over 17,000 people annually. Nashville Opera's extensive education and outreach touring program reaches over 30,000 students throughout Middle Tennessee. These projects are supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and the Metro Nashville Arts Commission.

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